By: Chad McDonald
As in years past, one of the most informative discussions at the seminar addressed recent Appellate Division cases. This year’s panel was led by Judge Terry Chastain, Director of the State Board of Workers’ Compensation. Noteworthy cases featured below touched on issues of the ingress/egress rule, injuries which occur during pre-employment physicals, […]
By: Belinda Be, Esq.
Always one of the most popular sessions at the conference, the discussion on recent Appellate Division decisions was led this year by Judge Benjamin Vinson, one of the three Appellate Division judges. The panel covered many cases, but the most relevant cases reviewed are below, and address a light duty job […]
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 Frank A. Wasser, Esq.
A recent ruling by the Georgia Supreme Court expanded the scope of the “willful misconduct defense” in favor of employers and insurers. In Chandler Telecom, LLC v. Burdette, the court held that an intentional violation of an employer’s rules may bar compensation, when that violation is committed “either with the knowledge […]
by Frank A. Wasser, Esq.
On May 9, 2017, Governor Deal signed into law an expansion of Georgia’s medical marijuana program, which allows certain patients the ability to possess up to 20 ounces of cannabis oil to treat specific illnesses. The new law added six conditions eligible for treatment. Significantly, the law only allows physicians to […]
by Jennifer M. Smith, Esq.
President Trump recently signed an executive order which would require agencies, including OSHA, to eliminate two prior regulations for each new regulation which is issued. This could mean that recently enacted OSHA regulations, such as the controversial electronic record keeping rule, could be in peril.
Not only does the order mandate the […]
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.
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 Timothy A. Raimey, Jr., Esq.
The workers’ compensation bill known as HB 412 passed through the General Assembly and is on the way to Governor Deal’s desk for signature. Here are the changes:
1. The maximum TTD rate will increase from $525 to $550 per week, the maximum TPD rate from $350 to $367 per week […]
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 […]
