The Florida Court Declines Review of Padgett

Today's guest post is authored by The Honorable David Langham is the Deputy Chief Judge of Compensation Claims for the Florida Office of Judges of Compensation Claims and Division of Administrative Hearings. Contact him at david_langham@doah.state.fl.us. It is shared from his blog lojcc.blogspot.com/

In a brief order dated December 22, 2015, the Florida Supreme Court declined to review Padgett v. State of Florida. This saga began with a Miami Circuit Judge presiding over a case involving an injured worker, Cortes, and his employer, Velda Farms. Those two resolved their differences, but the Florida Workers' Advocates (FWA) and Workers' Injury Law and Advocacy Group (WILAG) had "intervened" in the case, meaning they also became parties.

Should Workers' Compensation Be In The Wellness Business?

A recent study indicate that wellness programs are exceptionally important. Employers and workers' compensation insurance companies would be wise to follow this initiative.

One out of every four dollars employers pay for health care is tied to unhealthy lifestyle choices or conditions like smoking, stress and obesity, despite the fact that most large employers have workplace wellness programs.

US Drone Registration Now Open - Free For First 30 days

There has been a lot of interest expressed in the workers' compensation arena over drone use for both occupational work  and surveillance. Last year I took a hands-on course offered by the International Center of Photography (ICP) NYC on how to fly a drone. I can really understand the concerns over the safety, even with the most sophisticated models. It looks a lot easier than it is.

College of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers - Class of 2016

The following distinguished lawyers who were elected as
Fellows of the College of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers in the Class of 2016

CMS Implements SMART Act Functionality for Repayment

The Workers' Compensation community of stakeholders lobbied strenuously through 2012 for revision of the conditional payment process utilized by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS). The SMART Act of 2012 codifies the process to comply with the Medicare Secondary Payer Act. CMS has now implemented an on-line process to facilitate reimbursement:

New Study Reports Flavorings Cause Lung Damage

A just published study reports flavoring chemicals in E-Cigarettes: Diacetyl, 2,3-Pentanedione, and Acetoin in a sample of 51 products, including fruit-, candy-, and cocktail-flavored e-cigarettes pose a health risk.

The Harvard Gazette reported that, "Diacetyl, a flavoring chemical linked to cases of severe respiratory disease, was found in more than 75 percent of flavored electronic cigarettes and refill liquids tested by researchers at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Congress extends the Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act

The United States Congress has voted to extend the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act as part of a major spending bill that now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law. The bill will extend the World Trade Center Health Program to 2090 and provide full compensation to survivors and first responders through the September 11 Victim Compensation Fund.