Arkansas Supreme Court rules donning and doffing activities are on the clock

The Arkansas Supreme Court ruled that putting on and taking off work clothes is considered work and compensation should be paid for the time performed doing these tasks.

Human exposure to carbon nanotubes and the carcinogenic consequences

As the application of carbon nanotubes (CNT) in consumer products continues to rise, studies have expanded to determine the associated risks of exposure on human and environmental health. In particular, several lines of evidence indicate that exposure to multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) could pose a carcinogenic risk similar to asbestos fibers. However, to date the potential markers of MWCNT exposure are not yet explored in humans.

NJ Supreme Court Hears Argument on Employer's Duty to Household Contact

An employer's duty to a employee's household contact was the focus of an oral argument recently before the NJ Supreme Court. The NJ Supreme Court reviewed the question, that was certified by the US Third Circuit Court of Appeals, to define the duty and its scope. The household contact, the fiance, subsequently spouse, suffered beryllium related disease causally related to the employee's toxic exposure.

Passaic NJ distribution warehouse fined $112K for two dozen safety violations

OSHA cites Oaxaca Mexican Products for blocking fire exit, 20 other serious violations

Oaxaca Mexican Products, 100 8th St., Passaic, New Jersey was issued citations by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued citations for one willful, 20 serious and three other-than-serious violations on May 3, 2016.

CMS Publishes Final Rule for MSP Conditional Payments Via Web Portal

This final rule, effective June 16, 2016,  specifies the process and timeline for expanding CMS' existing Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) Web portal to conform to section 201 of the Medicare IVIG and Strengthening Medicare and Repaying Taxpayers Act of 2012 (the SMART Act).

Some medicines are just not for sick people: Fluoroquinolone

Obtaining fast and effective medical treatment after suffering and occupational accident or injury is important. Receiving the improper medication can made outcomes a lot worse The FDA advises restricting fluoroquinolone antibiotic use for certain uncomplicated infections and warns about disabling side effects that can occur together.

Will the future of workers' compensation be ADR?

As mandatory arbitration continues to be adopted in place of litigation, it remains to be be seen whether mandatory arbitration will replace costly and time consuming litigated adversarial hearings in workers' compensation. During the last two decades employers and insurance companies have fashioned contracts to include Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) proceedings to reduce costs and awards.