In establishing its Healthy People 2020 initiative four years ago, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services listed as one of its stated objectives to "achieve health equity, eliminate disparities, and improve the health of all groups." While "Occupational Health" is one topical area given a focus in this national initiative, there is apparently little actual "population-based data" on ethnic disparities in occupational injuries. However, the authors of a new study published in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine try to provide some new data to fill this void to help employers and others with their surveillance and prevention efforts...read more.

New Hampshire: Truck Driver Injured When He Fell Asleep Should Recovery Comp Benefits. A truck driver's severe injuries sustained when he fell asleep while driving between a job site and his place of employment arose out of...read more.

Kentucky: Injured Employee's Settlement Does Not Bind Widow's Subsequent Death Benefits Claim. Where an employee sustained a serious work-related injury in 2006, and died almost four years later, having signed a release as to all future claims against the employer for an...read more.

Louisiana: Injured Worker's Average Weekly Wage Should Have Included Tips. An injured worker's average weekly wage should have been computed not only based on the $400 he received each week from his employer; the tips...read more.

Ohio: Employee Who Tests Positive for Metabolites Entitled to Benefits Unless Marijuana Use Proximately Caused Accident. Unless an employee's drug use was the proximate cause of his work-connected injury, he was entitled to workers' comp benefits in spite of his violation of a workplace rule...read more.