Florida justices to hear workers’ comp case
A Broward County, Florida school employee’s challenge to part of Florida’s workers’ compensation law has gone to the state Supreme Court. The case involves constitutional challenges to a part of the law dealing with expert medical advisers. WOGX (Gainesville, Fla.)
New New Jersey laws aid ailing first responders
New laws enacted earlier this month in New Jersey allow first responders, such as those who responded to the terrorist attack on Sept. 11, 2001, easier access to workers’ compensation and accidental disability benefits. Both laws take effect immediately. New Jersey 101.5
Wisconsin to consider lowering workers’ comp rates
The Wisconsin Compensation Rating Bureau has proposed decreasing workers’ compensation insurance rates by more than 8.8 percent, continuing a three-year trend in falling premiums. If approved, the new rates reportedly could go into effect October 1. Although employers reported roughly 300 fewer injuries in 2017 than in 2016, Wisconsin’s rate of workplace illness and injuries is still higher than the national rate. Channel 3000
Ohio BWC approves $1.5 billion rebate
The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation board of directors on June 28 approved a rebate proposal made in May by Gov. Mike DeWine. The agency says it will begin sending checks in late September to about 180,000 private and public employers, and that about $114 million will go to counties, cities, townships and other local government entities, and nearly $50 million will go to public school districts. Crain’s Cleveland Business
Maryland appeals court issues landmark ruling for telecommuters
Maryland’s second-highest court has held that employees injured while leaving their “home office” for a work-related site may qualify for workers’ compensation if working from home is necessary for their employment and is not just personally convenient. Daily Record [may require registration]
What Maine employers need to know about 2019 reforms
Attorney Allan Muir discusses the highlights of a new Maine workers’ compensation law that may slightly offset some of the 60 percent in savings that employees and employers have earned since 1993. National Law Review