NJ Division of Workers' Compensation COVID-19 Closing Extended to May 11, 2020

Notice to the Bar April 22, 2020

This notice announces additional statewide steps by the New Jersey Division of Workers’ Compensation to address the ongoing public health crisis surrounding the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak in New Jersey.

Governor Murphy Signs Legislation to Expand Family Leave Protections During COVID-19 Outbreak

Governor Phil Murphy today signed legislation (S2374), which expands protections of the Family Leave Act to allow employees forced to take time off to care for a family member during the COVID-19 outbreak with up to 12 weeks of unpaid family leave in a 24-month period without losing their jobs.

Back to Work Needs Congressional Support

As employee and employers look to their state governor’s for direction upon return to work, an undiscussed issue remains, the responsibility for work-related occupational exposures. While this is new territory, one might look toward other potential mass exposure scenarios in the US history for guidance.

Health Care Workers Are at a Heightened COVID Risk - Updated 5/5/2020

A report published today by the Centers for Disease Control [CDC] highlights the increased risk of health care workers who are working so diligently on the frontlines in the effort to battle the COVID pandemic.

OSHA Steps Backwards on COVID-19 Occupational Exposures

On Friday, the Occupational Health and Safety Administration [OSHA] announced a policy minimizing occupational exposure to COVID-19 exposures and disease in the workplace. The policy contradicts the nationals patchwork of state Workers’ Compensation Acts that have statutorily included occupational exposure to infectious disease as a work-related and compensable illness.

NY State Bar Seeks Lawyers for Pro Bono COVID-19 Assistance Program

The NewYork State Bar Association in partnership with the New York State Court System, is seeking to lawyers for a pro bono COVID-19 assistance program to help New Yorkers who are struggling with the COVID-19 pandemic and are in need of legal assistance.

HHS Relaxes HIPAA Rules During COVID Pandemic

The US Department of Health and Human Services has published a “Notification of Enforcement Discretion for Telehealth Remote Communications During the COVID-19 Nationwide Public Health Emergency,” that eases the enforcement of medical record privacy. As workers’ compensation providers increasingly employ electronic communication with their patients, these rules will have a major impact on how medical care is provided.