Visits to ER prove costly
- The percentages of injured workers who visited an ER as opposed to physician offices or urgent care clinics varied across 28 states, according to a recent study from the Workers Compensation Research Institute.
- Visits to physician offices or urgent care clinics are generally cheaper.
- The researchers found that 37% of claimants in Massachusetts went to ERs for their initial treatment. Delaware had the next highest percentage, at 30.
- The study sample represents nearly 80% of the workers’ comp benefits paid in the United States.
Female-only cancers in firefighters added to compensation list
- The risk of female reproductive cancers in firefighters has been recognized for the first time as part of an amendment to workers’ compensation regulations.
- Eight more cancers have been added to a prescribed list under the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Regulations 2019.
- These new cancers consist of primary-site lung, skin, cervical, ovarian, penile, pancreatic and thyroid cancer, and malignant mesothelioma.
- It brings the total number of prescribed cancers to 20.
Legislation to protect workers
- In the past year, lawmakers passed several, bills geared toward promoting the safety of workers.
- The Minnesota House of Representatives passed a bill that requires employers to provide written notification of quotas to employees, provide access to employees’ work speed data and alter quotas to allow for mandated breaks.
- U.S. Rep. Cori Bush of Missouri introduced bills that would require employees needing time off due to a climate disaster to be given emergency paid time off and not be retaliated against.
- The Wind Safety Standard Act protects employees when weather conditions include high winds and devises a standard on high winds that requires employers requires to track winds and have emergency plans in place.
Loose tire injures workers
- Two construction workers in Houston were hospitalized after being hit by a loose tire on a tollway.
- Harris County Precinct 4 Constables responded to a pedestrian being hit in the 25500 block of the Tomball Tollway.
- Upon arrival, constables learned that a vehicle lost a tire and the tire struck two construction workers.
- The victims were transported to a nearby hospital, but their conditions are unknown.