Methylene Chloride Continues to be a Fatal Hazard in the Workplace

Exposure to paint strippers containing methylene chloride remains a severe health concern for workers. The Second Circuit Court of Appeals recently refused to extend the United States Environmental Protection [EPA] agency's regulations to cover methylene chloride in the commercial setting.

The 2021 Atlantic hurricane season poses an increased threat to workplace safety

A predicted record Atlantic hurricane season will create a perfect storm for increased occupational risks as the Sars-Cov2 Delta variant cases/hospitalizations/deaths are now surging, and climate change’s effects are mounting. 

NY Attorney General James Announces Proposed $26 Billion Global Agreement with Opioid Distributors/Manufacturer

New York Attorney General Letitia James today announced a historic proposed $26 billion agreement that will help deliver desperately needed relief to communities across New York and the rest of the nation struggling with opioid addiction. 

Annual respirator fit-testing again required by OSHA

On July 7, 2021, the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration issues an Updated Interim Enforcement Response Plan for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) regarding enforcement discretion for periodic respiratory protection equipment shortages and associated constraints (i.e., fit-testing supplies and provision of related services) during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Vaccines highly effective against hospitalization from Delta variant

An encouraging analysis by PHE shows for the first time that two doses of COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective against hospitalization from the Delta (B.1.617.2) variant. Unfortunately, those who aren’t vaccinated face increased risk. 

COVID-19: A lesson for the workers’ compensation industry

Michael Lewis’s new book, The Premonition, is about three characters and their struggle to alert the Nation about the COVID-19 pandemic. The book offers a shocking insight into the mismanagement of the public health care system. The workers’ compensation industry lacked adequate information to prepare for the epidemic properly. It must address this deficiency in the future.

FEMA to Help Pay Funeral Costs for COVID-19-Related Deaths

In early April 2021, FEMA will begin providing financial assistance for funeral expenses incurred after Jan. 20, 2020 for deaths related to coronavirus (COVID-19) to help ease some of the financial stress and burden caused by the pandemic. The policy was finalized today, and FEMA is now moving rapidly to implement this funeral assistance program nationwide.

NJ CRIB Policy Coverage Mobile App

The New Jersey Compensation, Rating and Inspection Bureau [NJCRIB] has released a mobile app to ascertain workers' compensation insurance policy data.

Rubio, Gillibrand Introduce Landmark Burn Pits Legislation to Help Veterans

U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) introduced the bipartisan and bicameral Presumptive Benefits for War Fighters Exposed to Burn Pits and Other Toxins Act. U.S. Representatives Raul Ruiz, M.D (D-CA) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) will introduce the legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives. This bill would provide presumptive U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs benefits to servicemembers who have deployed and have illnesses due to exposure to burn pits and other toxins. Approximately 3.5 million veterans have been exposed to burn pits that spewed toxic fumes and carcinogens into the air.

Permanent Disability: The post-acute COVID-19 sequelae

The residuals of post-acute residuals of COVID-19 (Sars-CoV-2) may result in compensable permanent disability for many individuals (long haulers). A recent study outlines the potential compensable sequelae.

UCSF and Johns Hopkins University Launch Digital Trove of Opioid Industry Documents

The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and Johns Hopkins University today announced the launch of the Opioid Industry Documents Archive, a digital repository of publicly disclosed documents from recent judgments, settlements, and ongoing lawsuits concerning the opioid crisis.

Bill to Overhaul National Unemployment Insurance Technology

US Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden, D-Ore., Senator Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, Senator Mark Warner, D-Va., and Senator Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., today introduced legislation that would establish one set of technology and security capabilities for state unemployment offices.

COVID-19 Public Health Emergency in New Jersey Extended 30 more Days

Governor Phil Murphy today signed Executive Order No. 231. The Order extends the Public Health Emergency that was declared on March 9, 2020 through Executive Order No. 103, which was previously extended in 2020 on April 7, May 6, June 4, July 2, August 1, August 27, September 25, October 24, November 22, and December 21, and again in 2021 on January 19 and February 17. Under the Emergency Health Powers Act, a declared public health emergency expires after 30 days unless renewed.

Governor Murphy Announces Intention to Nominate Rachel Wainer Apter to Serve on the New Jersey Supreme Court

At Ruth Bader Ginsburg Hall at Rutgers–Newark, Governor Phil Murphy today announced his intention to nominate Rachel Wainer Apter to the New Jersey Supreme Court to fill the seat of Associate Justice Jaynee LaVecchia, who will retire at the end of the current Court term on August 31, 2021. The appointment will first be sent to the New Jersey State Bar Association’s Judicial and Prosecutorial Appointments Committee. With the Committee’s approval, the Governor will proceed with a formal nomination, subject to advice and consent in the Senate.

OSHA cites New Jersey frozen dessert manufacturer after second amputation injury on same machine

Despite two severe amputation injuries in 2018 and 2020 on the same machine at a Lakewood ice cream manufacturing plant, a recent federal safety and health inspection found the company continues to ignore protocols designed to prevent other workers from suffering similar injuries.

Stop-Work Order Issued to NJ Contractor for Misclassification Violations

The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) issued a stop-work order to Galo Contractors Group, LLC, on March 9 for six alleged violations at a worksite in Keansburg.

American Rescue Plan Act - Compensation Provisions

On Thursday, March 11, 2021, the President signed into law:H.R. 1319, the “American Rescue Plan Act of 2021,”PL 117-2, March 11, 2021, 135 Stat 4

US Department Of Labor Announces Proposals To Rescind Two Rules That Undermine Worker Protections Against Unfair Pay Practices

The U.S. Department of Labor today announced proposals to rescind two final rules that would significantly weaken protections afforded to American workers under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Novavax Confirms High Levels of Efficacy Against Original and Variant COVID-19 Strains in United Kingdom and South Africa Trials

-100% protection against severe disease
-Final analysis in U.K. trial confirms 96% efficacy against original strain of COVID-19
-Efficacy against variants confirmed in U.K. and South Africa

OSHA Launches Program To Protect High-Risk Workers From Coronavirus, Focuses On Employers That Retaliate Against Workers With Safety Concerns

In response to President Biden’s executive order on protecting worker health and safety, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has launched a national emphasis program focusing enforcement efforts on companies that put the largest number of workers at serious risk of contracting the coronavirus. The program also prioritizes employers that retaliate against workers for complaints about unsafe or unhealthy conditions, or for exercising other rights protected by federal law.