USDOT to Test for Additional Drugs

The Department of Transportation is amending its drug-testing program regulation to add hydrocodone, hydromorphone, oxymorphone, and oxycodone to its drug-testing panel; add methylenedioxyamphetamine as an initial test analyte; and remove methylenedioxyethylamphetamine as a confirmatory test analyte. The revision of the drug-testing panel harmonizes DOT regulations with the revised HHS Mandatory Guidelines established by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for Federal drug-testing programs for urine testing. This final rule clarifies certain existing drug-testing program provisions and definitions, makes technical amendments, and removes the requirement for employers and Consortium/Third Party Administrators to submit blind specimens.

Amnesty International USA Files a FOIA Request on Burn Pits

Amnesty International USA filed a request under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to seek documents related to the use of burn pits by the U.S. military. For decades, the military has used burn pits producing toxic smoke to dispose of hazardous waste on military bases around the world. More than 100,000 veterans have reported serious health effects following exposure to burn pits, including neurological disorders, rare forms of cancer, reduced lung function and pulmonary diseases.

US Senators Introduce Bill to Ban Asbestos and Protect Public Health

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.