Workers Comp

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Bill would require Texas construction contractors to carry comp

Texas lawmakers in both chambers are set to consider legislation that would require contractors in construction to carry workers compensation coverage when in contract with a government entity. S.B. 283, pre-filed Wednesday, is identical to H.B. 778, which was pre-filed on Nov. 21. Both bills said all contractors and subcontractors on public projects may provide …

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Report highlights risks in telehealth billing

  While the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs had anticipated no additional risks associated with telehealth services during the pandemic compared with in-person visits, its Office of Inspector General found some potential program integrity risks, according to a report released Wednesday. The risks included providers potentially billing for supplies not rendered …

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Staffing continues to plague OSHA

The number of Occupational Safety and Health Administration inspectors has fallen “steadily” from a high of 860 in 2014 to 750 in 2021, an issue that has made it difficult for the agency to protect workers at an estimated 8 million work sites, according to a report released Tuesday by the U.S. Department of Labor’s …

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OSHA cites Wisconsin manufacturer after worker’s leg crushed

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited a Wisconsin-based heavy fabrication manufacturing company after a worker’s leg was crushed by a falling load. OSHA said Monday it cited Kewaunee Fabrications LLC, which manufactures aerial ladders and mounting plates primarily used for fire trucks, for one willful and 11 serious violations and proposed a penalty …

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Washington lawmakers to consider rehiring those fired over vaccine mandate

Washington legislators will consider a bill that would reinstate state workers fired for not getting a mandatory COVID-19 vaccine, per a directive issued by Gov. Jay Inslee, because of the “unnecessary hardship” it caused employees who were fired. H.B. 2029, pre-filed Monday, also states that “not allowing qualified, experienced employees to work in their professions …

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Medical marijuana comp program launched in New Mexico

Bennabis Health Inc. has launched a program in New Mexico with Alta Vida, an Albuquerque-based cannabis dispensary, to help reimburse injured workers for their medical marijuana in workers compensation cases. Cranford, New Jersey-based Bennabis said New Mexico is among the states that require reimbursement by insurers when medical marijuana is deemed a necessary alternative to …

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North Dakota Supreme Court rules worker’s PTSD non-compensable

The North Dakota Supreme Court upheld a decision that an injured worker’s post-traumatic stress disorder was not a compensable injury despite its stemming from a workplace incident. The court, in its Thursday decision, agreed with the findings of North Dakota Workforce Safety & Insurance, an administrative law judge and a district court judge, all of …

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