The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) draft risk evaluation of formaldehyde, released on March 15, 2024, raises significant concerns for worker health and worker compensation risk exposure.
Copyright
Monday, March 25, 2024
Monday, March 18, 2024
US Bans Asbestos
Tuesday, January 30, 2024
Long Overdue Public Safety Worker Coverage
Legislation has been reintroduced to provide workers’ compensation benefits for certain public safety workers who developed an occupational illness or injury flowing from the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. A closer look at the legislation reveals that it removes defenses such as causal relationship, statute of limitations, and jurisdiction. Complicated statutory and regulatory challenges may ultimately offset the benefits offered.
Wednesday, January 17, 2024
NJ Expands Compensation Benefits for First Responders
NJ Governor Phil Murphy signed A-5909/S-4267, which revises workers' compensation coverage for certain injuries to certain volunteer and professional public safety and law enforcement personnel. The bill amends current workers’ compensation law to add that a response to an emergency, including work sufficient to cause certain injuries or death, is compensable.
Monday, December 18, 2023
TSCA Update
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it is beginning the process of prioritizing five additional toxic chemicals for risk evaluation under the nation’s premier chemical safety law. If, during the 12-month-long statutory process, the EPA designates these five chemicals as high-priority substances, the EPA will then begin risk evaluations for these chemicals.
Thursday, October 26, 2023
Preparing for the Next Epidemic of Occupational Disease
A recently published standard establishes minimum requirements to reduce the risk of disease transmission by exposure to infectious aerosols in new buildings, existing buildings, and major renovations.
Friday, October 20, 2023
New EPA Rule Will Lighten the Burden of Proving an Asbestos-Related Disease Claim
In many occupational asbestos claims, it has been challenging to establish that asbestos fiber was used in the workplace. That will soon change under recently announced US Environmental Protection Agency [EPA] Rules.
Saturday, September 23, 2023
Workers’ Compensation Benefits for Occupational Exposure to Cellphone Radiation
Last week, the French government requested that Apple stop selling the iPhone 12 model because of excessive radiation detected during recent tests. The Agence National des FrĂ©quences [ANFR] stated that “…Apple must immediately take all measures to prevent the availability on the market of the phones concerned present in the supply chain. Regarding phones already sold, Apple must take corrective measures as soon as possible to make the phones concerned compliant. Otherwise, it will be up to Apple to recall them.”
Saturday, July 29, 2023
OSHA Issues Extreme Heat Hazard Alert
The U.S. Department of Labor announced that it's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has issued a heat hazard alert to remind employers of their obligation to protect workers against heat illness or injury in outdoor and indoor workplaces.
Wednesday, July 19, 2023
New OSHA Reporting Requirements For Injuries and Illnesses
Tuesday, July 18, 2023
Protecting workers from electronic monitoring, tracking, and management
Automated technological tools are being deployed to monitor, surveil, manage workers, and defend workers’ compensation claims. The Biden Administration has focused on this issue and requested information to create an advanced understanding of these tools' design, deployment, prevalence, and impacts.
Saturday, July 15, 2023
Workers' Compensation Judges Exempt from Gun Permit Requirement
A Federal Judge, in a multifaceted decision, upheld a New Jersey law exemption that allows specific individuals to carry a concealed weapon without a permit. Workers’ compensation judges actively handling cases are one of the groups of individuals who are exempt from the permit requirement.
Friday, July 14, 2023
State of New Jersey Failed to Address Deficiencies in $96 Million Workers’ Compensation Program
A report released today by the Office of the State Comptroller (OSC) finds that the agency that manages workers’ compensation claims filed by state employees failed to remedy deficiencies identified three years ago. As a result, the State faces a greater risk of preventable workplace injuries, spurious claims, and wasted tax dollars.
Wednesday, July 5, 2023
California Supreme Court to File its Decision in a Derivative Immunity Claim Tomorrow
The California Supreme Court will file its much-anticipated decision regarding KUCIEMBA v. VICTORY WOODWORKS, Case: S274191, on Thursday, July 6, 2023, at 10:00 am (PT). The Court had accepted the request of the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit to answer a question of state law regarding employers' liability in COVID claims. Briefs are now available online (See below).
Thursday, June 1, 2023
NJ Targets Rampant Misclassification of Drywall Workers
In its second strategic enforcement initiative, focusing on the drywall industry, the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) reached a first-of-its-kind enhanced compliance agreement with Donald Drywall, L.L.C. of Lakewood after investigators found the subcontractor had committed numerous wage and hour, earned sick leave, and employee misclassification violations.
Wednesday, January 11, 2023
OSHA: America Airlines Fined for Retaliating Against Worker Who Reported Hazardous Fumes in Cabin
Federal safety and health investigators have determined that one of the nation's largest airlines retaliated against flight attendants who reported worker illnesses caused by toxic fumes entering aircraft cabins.
Wednesday, September 28, 2022
Historic $7.75M Settlement of NJ Child Labor Law Violations with Chipotle Mexican Grill
New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo and Attorney General Matt Platkin announced today that they have reached an agreement with Chipotle Mexican Grill to resolve alleged widespread and persistent violations of the state’s child labor laws. Under today’s groundbreaking settlement with NJDOL, the popular fast-food restaurant chain will pay $7.75 million, and has agreed to a far-reaching compliance plan for its 85 New Jersey locations aimed at putting an end to these practices.
Thursday, September 15, 2022
US Supreme Court Asked to Review PREP Act Immunity
The US Supreme Court [SCOTUS] has been asked to review whether the PREP Act [The Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Act of 2005, 42 U.S.C. §§ 247d-6d, 247d-6e] pre-empts a claim for willful misconduct,
Monday, September 12, 2022
Dual Employment and the Proposed NLRB Joint-Employer Standard
Workers’ compensation claims may be pursued against two companies if there is found to be joint employment. While case law defines employment status, the US National Labor Relations Board has issued a proposed Rule to substantiate a dual employer status.
Sunday, September 4, 2022
Use of Opioid Settlement Funds in NJ
As part of the Murphy Administration’s ongoing efforts to help New Jerseyans impacted by the opioid crisis, and in recognition of Overdose Awareness Day, Governor Phil Murphy announced additional steps the Administration is taking in New Jersey. Through a new online portal and Executive Order No. 305, the Governor has established two methods through which members of the public and relevant stakeholders can provide their input on the best use of the opioid settlement funds that New Jersey is receiving.