Vol. 6, Issue 20

Find Solutions & Strategies                     May 18, 2015

The Evolving Risk of Firefighter Cancer
 
NIOSH study examines toxic new building materials and racial disparities in developing cancer  
In This Issue
A Note From the Editor
Nat'l Workers' Comp Conference
Larson's National Workers' Compensation Advisory Board
the evolving risk of firefighter cancer

NIOSH study examines toxic new building materials and racial disparities in developing cancer

 

Karen C. Yotis, Esq., our Feature Resident Columnist, provides insights into workplace issues and the nults and bolts of the workers' comp world.   

 

Firefighters are a breed apart. From the 9/11 first responders who disappeared into the World Trade Center's towering inferno to the 19 Granite Mountain Hotshots who died battling the Yarnell Hill Fire, these are the courageous ones who put themselves in mortal danger to save the lives and property of others. And while experience (and a plethora of research) has shown that firefighting is fraught with all sorts of risk, a new NIOSH study about California firefighters is shedding new light on a nationwide dilemma. The authors examined almost 20 years of data to evaluate firefighters' cancer risk. They posit that ongoing examination of firefighter cancer risk is warranted because...read more.

workplace wellness programs: the roi wars

By Robin E. Kobayashi, J.D.   

 

Depending on which study you believe in, workplace wellness programs may or may not be a good return on investment for employers. On the one side you have studies showing that for every $1 invested in a workplace wellness program, there's a $1.88 to $3.92 reduction in health care costs. On the other side are studies, such as the new study by RAND Corporation that was released on May 11, 2015, which found no significant savings in health care costs among a sample of 589 public- and private-sector businesses...read more.

LARSON'S SPOTLIGHT ON RECENT CASES

Thomas A. Robinson, J.D., our Feature National Columnist, is the co-author of Larson's Workers' Compensation Law (LexisNexis). 

  

Nevada: Employer, Not Department of Corrections, Responsible for Comp Benefits for Inmate Living at "Half-Way" House. The statutory definition of a prison "work program" did not include a "half-way" house...read more.

 

Federal: Resort Is Statutory Employer of Staffing Company's Parking Attendants. A parking attendant, who worked for a staffing company that contracted with a resort hotel to supply workers for valet parking is barred...read more.

 

Mississippi: In Bad Faith Case, Evidence of Insurer's Actions Prior to Exhaustion of Administrative Remedies Was Admissible. The requirement that an employee exhaust his or her administrative remedies before filing a lawsuit...read more.

 

North Carolina: No In-State Contract of Employment Where Driver Required to Undergo Orientation, Tests in Mississippi Prior to Final Hire. A truck driver's contract of employment was not made in North Carolina where ...read more.

national & state news

NCCI Gives "Calm" Now, "Turbulent" Later, Outlook for Workers Comp Industry.

NCCI Presentation: Complete State of the Line for Workers Comp Industry.

NCCI Presentation: Work Comp Implications of On-Demand Economy, Temp Workers.

Express Scripts: Half a Million Americans Pay $50K+ in Medication Costs Per Year.

SEC Investigating Barrett Business Services' Accounting Practices.

Study: Aging Japanese-Americans Provide Insights Into Dealing With Aging Population.

Study: Weekend Drug Users End Up Expanding Recreational Use to Weekdays.

Two Minute Walk and Other Ways to Avoid Harms From Prolonged Periods of Sitting.

AZ: ICA to Hold Public Hearing on Assessment for Special Fund.

CA: 3rd DCA Grants Review in Case Challenging Constitutionality of IMR (LC 4610.6).

CA: Calif. Labor Federation Backs SB 563 Utilization Review Bill.

CA: Assembly Approves Bill to Give Pro Cheerleaders Employee Status.

CA: Assembly Approves AB 305 to Prevent Gender Bias of Workplace Injuries.

CA: Senate Passes SB 542 Home Health Care Services Fee Schedule.

CA: Staffing Firms Prohibited From Self-Insuring for Workers Comp.

CA: Expert Suggests SB 863 Can Help Reduce WCMSA Allocation.

CT: WCC Posts Weekly Benefit Calculations Without FICA, Medicare Deductions.

FL: Judge to Rule Soon in Disney Worker Death Case.

FL: DWC Proposes Rule Changes Related to Use of DWC Reimbursement Manuals.

FL: DWC Proposes Rule Changes to Adopt ICD-10 Medical Code Sets.

GA: Governor Signs HB 412 to Address Exclusive Remedy, Physicians, Benefits.

IL: Legislature Confirms Appointments of Chairman and Commissioner Appointments.

MA: Workers Comp Advisory Council Posts 2014 Annual Report.

MO: Columbia Public Schools Paid Out $1.4M to Injured Teachers Over 9-Year Period.

NV: Senate Passes AB 145 to Authorize Uber, Lyft Operations.

NV: Court Holds Employer, Not State, Responsible for Work Release Inmate Injuries.

NJ: Weber Gallagher Warns SB 929 Could Raise Costs for Employers.

NY: Volunteer Firefighters Urge Lawmakers to Pass Presumptive Cancer Bill.

NY: WCB Posts Changes to List of Authorized Health Care Providers.

NY: WCB Posts List of Newly Authorized Health Care Providers.

OH: Governor Reappoints Tracie J. Sanchez to BWC Board of Directors.

OH: Governor Reappoints Guglielmi, Haffey, Caldwell to BWC Board of Directors.

OH: BWC Proposes Rule Change on Limitations on Filing of Fee Bills.

OK: Dillard's Opt Out Plan Called Into Question by Injured Worker Attorney.

OK: Governor Appoints Bob Gilliland as Chairman of WCC.

ENEWSLETTER ARCHIVES

ArchivesTake a deep dive into our past eNewsletters for 2015 and prior...warning - some links to articles may not work...report any linking problems to [email protected].

May 11, 2015: What's Really Behind the Decline in Workers' Comp Claim Rates

May 4, 2015: The Path of Non-resistance in Workplace Robberies

Apr. 27, 2015: ACOEM Guidance on Marijuana in the Workplace.

Apr. 20, 2015  Seasonal Patterns in Occupational Risk.

Apr. 13, 2015: Workers' Comp, Return to Work, and the Americans with Disabilities Act

ACCESS 2010-2015 ARCHIVES AND ARTICLES LIST HERE.