The California Division of Workers' Compensation has announced a series of public discussions for comments and concerns as it struggles in crafting a potential modification of its system. Click here to read the California DWC Announcement   Topics of discussion will include: Provision of appropriate medical treatment without unnecessary delay, the Medical Provider Network (MPN), Utilization Review (UR) or other...

The National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety (NIOSH) has published educational information to prevent musculoskeletal injuries at work. Injuries caused by ergonomic factors have been a major issue of the Federal government for decades and have been the basis for repetitive trauma motion claims for workers' compensation benefits. While the Clinton-Democratic administration had advocated strongly for ergonomic regulations,...

A NJ Appellate Court has ordered that an employer must pay counsel fees to an injured worker's attorney, on an hourly basis, when the employer is penalized. The employer failed to timely pay an award for compensation benefits to the injured worker. The Appellate Court ruled that the workers' attorney was entitled, in additional to the standard contingency fee, and counsel fees awarded for the appeal of the matter, to an award for...

NIOSH (The National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety) has published a booklet to educate Home Healthcare Workers about preventing latex allergies. Latex products are made from natural rubber, and sensitivity can develop after repeated exposure. Limiting exposure to latex can help prevent allergic reactions for both home healthcare workers and their clients. Once Natural Rubber Latex (NRL) sensitivity occurs, allergic...

Consistent with an enforcement trend by the EU to reduce agricultural pesticides used by 50% between 2008-2018,  a  French court on Monday declared U.S. biotech giant Monsanto guilty of chemical poisoning of a French farmer, a judgment that could lend weight to other health claims against pesticides. See: Thomson Reuters News & Insight "It is a historic decision in so far as it is the first time that a (pesticide) maker is...

Pair sentenced to 16 years in Italy asbestos trial - Telegraph: Prosecutor Raffaele Guariniello is surrounded by media at the Turin courthouse, Italy Stephan Schmidheiny, the former owner of a company making Eternit fibre cement, and Jean-Louis Marie Ghislain de Cartier de Marchienne, a major shareholder, were sentenced in absentia after being found guilty of causing an environmental disaster and failing to comply with...

Image via Wikipedia   National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has proposed a project to review the Underreporting of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses by Workers. "In 2008, the Congressional Committee on Education and Labor released the report, “Hidden Tragedy: Underreporting of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses,” indicating “that work-related...