Workers comp battle for teacher shot by student
- An appeals court can take on the issue of whether Abby Zwerner’s injuries after being shot by a student should be covered by workers’ compensation, a Virginia judge ruled.
- Zwerner has filed a $40 million lawsuit saying school leaders were negligent.
- Attorneys for the School Board have argued that workers’ compensation should cover her injuries, which would end her lawsuit.
- Earlier, a judge ruled the case did not fall under workers’ compensation, allowing it to progress to a trial, which is currently set for January 2025.
Read more
Firefighter’s heart attack not covered by workers’ comp
- A firefighter in Charleston, South Carolina is dealing with the financial burden after suffering a heart attack.
- Heart attacks are not considered eligible for workers’ compensation under current South Carolina law, leaving those who serve the public with limited options.
- City of Charleston Firefighter Scott McWethy was exercising after training as part of his required work duty when he realized something was wrong and was later diagnosed with a heart attack.
- State law 42-1-160 reads in part, “Heart attacks arising out of and in the course of employment unaccompanied by physical injury are not considered compensable…”
Read more
Update on injuries to oil and gas extraction workers
- From January 2015 to July 2022, federal regulators received reports of 2,101 severe injuries among oil and gas extraction workers.
- Contract workers in the service and drilling sub-industries experienced disproportionately more work-related injuries compared with those in the operation sub-industry.
- The report suggests that these injuries could be preventable by including contractors in worksite safety plans that administer the hierarchy of controls and are within an effective safety management system.
- The industry should provide consistent safety training on work equipment, personal protective equipment, and daily site safety meetings that increase safety culture.
Read more
Push to enhance training for fire-resistant material in Washington
- The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries’ Division of Occupational Safety and Health has a new rulemaking initiative, mandating the creation of a training and certification program for individuals applying fire-resistant materials.
- A substitute House Bill addresses the role of specialized training in applying materials designed to prevent the spread of fire and protect structural integrity.
- Under the proposed rule—set to be adopted by January 1, 2025—individuals working with fire-resistant materials must undergo training provided by registered apprenticeship programs, material manufacturers, or DOSH-approved training providers.
- This rulemaking proposal emphasizes the need for rigorous training standards in high-risk areas, such as fire protection.
Read more