OSHA proposes to delay compliance date for electronically submitting injury, illness reports

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration today proposed a delay in the electronic reporting compliance date of the rule, Improve Tracking of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses, from July 1, 2017, to Dec. 1, 2017. The proposed delay will allow OSHA an opportunity to further review and consider the rule.

Employment Status: Common Law Tests May Need an Update

The application of the common-law standard to determine employment status may no longer be relevant in the age of the gig economy. The NJ Appellate Division ruled that the common law test utilized to determine employment status could not be utilized in the interpretation of a medical malpractice insurance policy.

Governor of Nevada Vetoes Single-Payer Legislation

Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval has vetoed legislation that would have established a single-payer Assembly Bill 374 would have expanded a Medicare-type health care insurance plan. coverage to provide health care coverage to all Nevada residents.

Safeguarding Injured Workers From Cybersecurity Breaches

Under new Federal proposals, injured workers will be protected from cybersecurity breaches. The impact will be greater responsibilities and costs for law firms and, employers and their insurance companies.

Medical Marijuana Providers Maybe be Federally Prosecuted

Medical marijuana use may be heading to a new challenge for medical providers in workers' compensation case. Even though some States have authorized regulation and approval of dispensing medical marijuana, a Federal law allowing the practice is up for Congressional review.

NJ Public Employees On Workers' Compensation Considered On Leave Without Pay

The NJ Court of Appeals has ruled, in an unreported and Per Curium decision,  that public employees who are receiving workers' compensation temporary disability benefits are on leave without pay, and can not accrue sick and vacation days during their absence from work.

Chaos for Workers' Compensation Programs--The Elimination of Social Security Numbers?

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is readying a fraud prevention initiative that removes Social Security Numbers (SSN) from Medicare cards to help combat identity theft and safeguard taxpayer dollars. The question remains whether the elimination will cause chaos in state workers' compensation programs since the SSNs have historically been utilized as personal identifiers.