By: Alissa C. Atkins, Esq.
Nineteen days into the 2018 legislative session, only a few bills have been submitted that pertain to workers’ compensation law. At this point, no bill has been submitted to increase the Temporary Total or Temporary Partial Disability maximums, and although it is still technically possible, we do not expect any sweeping […]
by Alissa C. Atkins, Esq.
The same OSHA rule also dissuades employers from requiring post-accident drug tests. Because OSHA bans retaliatory actions against employees who report work-related injuries, the final rule suggests that drug tests not be performed post-accident as a matter of course. OSHA contends that workers are afraid to report work-related injuries because they […]
by Alissa C. Atkins, Esq.
Last month, OSHA issued a final electronic record-keeping rule, which will become effective on Jan. 1, 2017. The rule applies to employers with 250 or more employees and with as few as 20 employees in “high-risk industries,” including construction, manufacturing, stores, freight trucking and hospitals. The rule requires that data regarding […]
by Alissa C. Atkins, Esq.
In a decision released on June 6, 2016, the Georgia Supreme Court denied ongoing indemnity benefits to a man whose injuries were previously designated as catastrophic pursuant to OCGA § 34-9-200.1(g)(2). The claimant sustained an injury in 1993 resulting in a below the knee amputation. He returned to work in January […]
by Alissa C. Atkins, Esq.
The State Board revised Rule 200.2 regarding medical case management, and the changes became effective last month. The revision was prompted by the McRae case, which pertained to contact of authorized treating physicians by defense counsel. However, as a result of reviewing all issues pertaining to medical case management and contacting […]
by Alissa C. Atkins, Esq.
Late last month, House Representatives Jason Shaw and Chad Nimmer, along with four others, submitted HB 818 to the 2015-16 regular session of the Georgia General Assembly. The bill seeks to do the following:
• Increase the maximum average weekly wage from $550 to $575 per week (but maintain minimum […]
by Alissa C. Atkins, Esq.
With all three of the Board’s Directors and most of the Judges at the Board’s recent Annual Educational Conference, we were able to get an inside look on the biggest issues they are seeing lately from the bench. Chairman McKay noted the difficulty the judges have when ruling on medical disputes, […]
by Alissa C. Atkins, Esq.
The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) recently released a report entitled “Adding Inequality to Injury: The Costs of Failing to Protect Workers on the Job.” OSHA contends that the workers’ compensation system is broken, resulting in workers bearing the cost of their own work-related injuries and illnesses. The article concludes […]
by Alissa C. Atkins, Esq.
Employer wellness programs continue to gain popularity, not only for driving down the cost of group health insurance premiums but also because they can have a positive impact from a workers’ compensation standpoint. Employers with programs that address employees’ diabetes or high blood pressure can see a potential return on the […]
by Alissa C. Atkins, Esq.
This Friday, March 13, 2015, is Crossover Day at the legislature, which generally means a flurry of activity in the General Assembly. The latest workers’ compensation bill, still known as HB 412, made it out of the Labor and Industry committee last month and was passed by the House on March […]
