Missouri’s Department of Labor & Industrial Relations Offering Free Virtual Guidance to Assist Employers with Mitigation of COVID-19 Exposure as businesses re-open. Employers who are concerned about customers and employees health and safety during this pandemic and need safety expert advice as they reopen MO businesses can turn to the Missouri On-site Safety and Health … Continue reading Missouri Offers Free Safety Consultation to Employers as Businesses Re-Open
Missouri News
Missouri’s Division of Workers’ Compensation issues Scheduling Update
On April 2, 2020, Missouri’s Division of Workers’ Compensation issued the following update: April 2, 2020 NOTICE OF CANCELLATIONS - COVID-19 - CHANGE IN OPERATIONS All Conferences, Pre-Hearings, and Show Cause Dismissal Settings will be cancelled from April 20, 2020 through May 29, 2020. The DWC is open for business! Attorneys - Please contact the … Continue reading Missouri’s Division of Workers’ Compensation issues Scheduling Update
Tracking State Level COVID-19 related Legislation
The National Conference of State Legislatures has developed an excellent resource to track state level legislation related to COVID-19. Available here. This resource is also available through the I&F COVID-19 FAQ.
Slowed Down … not Shut Down: Resolving Cases During the COVID-19 Pandemic
We have all been impacted by COVID-19 and this impact is being felt in both our personal and professional lives. With “shelter in place” and “stay-at-home” orders issued by government entities across the Midwest—and throughout the country—we are experiencing closures of our favorite restaurants, businesses, and even our children’s schools. If you have been following … Continue reading Slowed Down … not Shut Down: Resolving Cases During the COVID-19 Pandemic
I&F COVID-19 Update: A Message from I&F President G. Steven Murdock
Federal Legislative Response to Coronavirus Pandemic
In what is likely to be the first of several actions, President Trump signed into law HR 6201 “Families First Coronavirus Response Act” on Wednesday, March 18, 2020. The first thing to note is that this bill only applies to employers with fewer than 500 employees. The bill impacts a number of employer related programs: … Continue reading Federal Legislative Response to Coronavirus Pandemic
COVID-19 Update: Missouri Division of Workers’ Compensation
A message from the Missouri Division of Workers' Compensation: In the interest of your health and safety, and that of employees at the Division of Workers’ Compensation, please note: Routine matters can be handled by email and tele-conference:See the local office docketing email chart on the DWC website and below to submit requests for continuance, … Continue reading COVID-19 Update: Missouri Division of Workers’ Compensation
A Message from I&F Regarding COVID-19 / Coronavirus
The spread of COVID-19 has obviously raised significant issues for employers throughout the world. Employers face uncertainty around what they can and should do to promote the health and well-being of their workforce while navigating federal, state, and local regulations and while considering rapidly changing government warnings and restrictions. Although the current circumstances will likely … Continue reading A Message from I&F Regarding COVID-19 / Coronavirus
Workers’ Compensation Update: Coronavirus
These are obviously challenging times for employers across the country. Although there is much about this emerging pandemic that will call for navigating uncharted waters, the analysis of potential workers' compensation exposure need not be one of those issues. In Illinois, for example, The “Illinois Workers’ Occupational Diseases Act” (820 ILCS 310/) is one statute … Continue reading Workers’ Compensation Update: Coronavirus
I&F Hosts “Fall in the Workplace” Event
The women attorneys of Inman & Fitzgibbons, Ltd. recently hosted a fall-themed wine tasting and professional networking event at Lynfred Winery featuring wines from Lynfred along with “fall in the workplace” law lessons and tips from around the Midwest. I&F's Allison Mecher, Jill Baker, Jynnifer Cotharn, Sonia Das-Sturm, Kristin Thomas, and Judy Nash Allison Mecher … Continue reading I&F Hosts “Fall in the Workplace” Event
Will workers’ compensation MSA guidelines extend to personal injury cases?
As we previously reported, a CMS policy for liability Medicare set-aside (LMSA) review appears to be imminent. The current state of confusion is depicted in a recent case involving CMS. In Silva v. Burwell, the plaintiff was injured as a result of a medical malpractice incident, after which he sustained permanent and extensive brain damage … Continue reading Will workers’ compensation MSA guidelines extend to personal injury cases?
Will workers’ compensation MSA guidelines extend to personal injury cases?
As we previously reported, a CMS policy for liability Medicare set-aside (LMSA) review appears to be imminent. The current state of confusion is depicted in a recent case involving CMS. In Silva v. Burwell, the plaintiff was injured as a result of a medical malpractice incident, after which he sustained permanent and extensive brain damage…
Will workers’ compensation MSA guidelines extend to personal injury cases? was originally published on Inman Fitzgibbons, Ltd.
New Missouri bill proposes several workers’ compensation reforms.
Missouri State Representative Bruce DeGroot (Chesterfield) introduced a bill to the Missouri House of Representatives on January 3, 2018, which seeks to modify the state’s workers’ compensation law. If H.B. 1693 is passed, it would become effective in August of 2018. The bill includes numerous modifications to the Act. The bill would require that in … Continue reading New Missouri bill proposes several workers’ compensation reforms.
Study suggests opioids had no pain-relieving advantage in a yearlong clinical trial
The L.A. Times reported yesterday that researchers now have hard data that challenges the view that opioids' pain-relieving benefits justify their risks. According to the Times, in the first randomized clinical trial to make a head-to-head comparison between opioids and other kinds of pain medications, patients who took opioids fared no better over the long term than … Continue reading Study suggests opioids had no pain-relieving advantage in a yearlong clinical trial
Inman and Fitzgibbons Announces New Partners
Inman & Fitzgibbons is pleased to announce that Jill Baker and Kristin Thomas have been named as partners with the firm. Jill has been with the firm since 2000 and currently serves the firm’s clients in both Illinois and Missouri. Jill is has long set the standard for exemplifying the firm's motto of making client … Continue reading Inman and Fitzgibbons Announces New Partners
Missouri Alert: Another Reason to Insure Your New Employee is Not Undocumented
The Missouri Division of Workers’ Compensation has recently issued a decision involving an illegal immigrant. In this case, the 34-year old claimant with an 8th grade education fell off a ladder sustaining injuries to his legs, feet, ankles and back. He was diagnosed with compression fractures requiring the daily use of narcotics to control this … Continue reading Missouri Alert: Another Reason to Insure Your New Employee is Not Undocumented
Understanding Medicare’s Secondary Payer Private Cause of Action against Primary Payers
As a “secondary payer,” Medicare has an interest in any workers’ compensation claims where it may have paid for medical care that might be related to the workers’ compensation injury. Medicare calls payments it makes to a Medicare beneficiary “conditional payments.” The condition is that Medicare will seek reimbursement for the payments made if it … Continue reading Understanding Medicare’s Secondary Payer Private Cause of Action against Primary Payers
New Definition for “MMI,”Rebuttable Presumption for Positive Drug Test, Changes to Death Benefit Beneficiaries, and Changes in Procedure for Compromise Settlements are Among Many Changes in Workers Comp Enacted in Missouri
We previously reported on June 5, 2017 that employers should expect to see further efforts to reform workers’ compensation laws in Missouri. On August 28, 2017, Missouri will see a definition for “maximum medical improvement” (MMI) and new law for positive drug tests in workers’ compensation claims. The State’s legislature recently passed a new law … Continue reading New Definition for “MMI,”Rebuttable Presumption for Positive Drug Test, Changes to Death Benefit Beneficiaries, and Changes in Procedure for Compromise Settlements are Among Many Changes in Workers Comp Enacted in Missouri
Smoking breaks, pigeons lead to the eventual death of a County Investigator and a cloudy workers’ compensation claim in Missouri
Terry Lankford brought a workers’ compensation claim in Missouri for the development of pneumonia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease due to developing a breathing fungus and bacteria associated with pigeon droppings. Lankford, a heavy smoker, worked as an investigator for the county. He stated that when he started working for the county that he would … Continue reading Smoking breaks, pigeons lead to the eventual death of a County Investigator and a cloudy workers’ compensation claim in Missouri
Missouri WC Repetitive Trauma Update – Statute of Limitations: When does the clock start ticking?
There are often issues relating to the statute of limitations in carpal tunnel and other repetitive trauma cases. When does the clock actually start ticking? The Missouri Court of Appeals recently addressed this exact issue in the case of Lisa Cook v. Missouri Highway & Transportation Commission. The claimant worked as a secretary for a government … Continue reading Missouri WC Repetitive Trauma Update – Statute of Limitations: When does the clock start ticking?
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