Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley, along with Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Jon Tester (D-MT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Edward J. Markey (D-MA) today introduced the Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now Act of 2017, legislation to eliminate human or environmental exposure to asbestos, a known carcinogen.
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Friday, November 10, 2017
Thursday, November 9, 2017
US DOL: Workplace Injuries Continue Their Downward Trend
The US Department of Labor reported today that were approximately 2.9 million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses reported by private industry employers in 2016, which occurred at a rate of 2.9 cases per 100 full-time equivalent (FTE) workers, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. (See www.bls.gov/web/osh/summ1_00.xlsx and www.bls.gov/web/osh/summ2_00.xlsx.) Private industry employers reported nearly 48,500 fewer nonfatal injury and illness cases in 2016 compared to a year earlier, according to estimates from the Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII).
Tuesday, November 7, 2017
Changes Urged for NJ Workers' Compensation System
The NJ 2017 Gubernatorial election results have not even been reported and major changes to the NJ Workers' Compensation system are already being urged. A leading practitioner in the workers' compensation arena is urging the adoption of a pure wage-loss system to replace the scheduled and time-limited disability benefits now embodied in the Act, and an employee choice of physician statute to replace the present employer directed system.
Monday, October 23, 2017
Electronic Medical Bills for Workers' Compensation Claims
The State of NJ has recently adopted an "electronic medical bill" process. N.J.S.A. 34:15-144, P.L 2016, c. 64. On October 16, 2017, Regulations were proposed to implement the Statute. Public Hearing will be held on Tuesday, November 14, 2017, 10:00 A.M. to 12:00 Noon. The deadline for written comments is December 15, 2017.
Saturday, October 21, 2017
Guidelines for Medical Provider Claims - A Valuable Approach
While the vast majority of jurisdictions in the US have the guidance of mandatory workers' compensation medical fee schedules, New Jersey remains one of the very few with no such structure. As I reported earlier, this generates multiple issues in the claims process and creates costly delays in the adjudication of disputes.
The Inherent Judicial Power of Judges of Compensation
A Judge of Compensation has the discretion to call and question witnesses in pending cases. A NJ Appellate Court affirmed the trial court award of additional weeks of temporary disability, the imposition of a 25% penalty for unreasonable and negligent delay in defending the case and 20% counsel fees.
Saturday, October 14, 2017
2018 Social Security Changes - COLA Increases
The Social Security Administration has announced based on the increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI-W) from the third quarter of 2016 through the third quarter of 2017, Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries will receive a 2.0 percent COLA for 2018.
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