Supreme Court declines to review marijuana use in Minnesota
- The U.S. Supreme Court declined to review two decisions by the Minnesota Supreme Court that held employers cannot be required to reimburse workers for marijuana used to treat on-the-job injuries
- The court ruled marijuana is illegal under the federal Controlled Substances Act.
- The U.S. Solicitor General’s Office argued that federal law preempts any state regulation requiring reimbursement for an illegal drug.
- New Mexico was the first of five states where courts ordered workers’ compensation insurers to reimburse injured workers for marijuana.
Tennessee offers return-to-work awards
- The Tennessee Bureau of Workers’ Compensation has a new Return to Work program that could help with staff shortages.
- The program called the “Return Employees to Work and Reduce Disabilities (REWARD) involves training and support for employers looking to reduce their expenses and keep their businesses staffed.
- The program can also help reduce disability dependence for injured employees, who are challenged to return to the workforce.
- The REWARD program is designed for an effective return to work effort.
D.C. mulls expansion of workers’ comp legislati0n
- Lawmakers in Washington, D.C, are mulling a proposal that would allow employees to file workers compensation claims in states in addition to the District.
- Employers can choose where claims are accepted under the current law.
- The District’s workers comp law would be reduced by the payment received in any state under the new proposal.
- The new proposal would also allow employers and their insurers to choose which state’s law will apply to workers’ compensation claims against them,
Worker injured, in Massachusetts substation fire
A worker was injured and power was lost with local left traffic lights and homes after an electrical incident in Newton, Mass.
The incident happened at a substation across from Newton City Hall.
A worker suffered burns to his arms, neck, and head and was taken to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston for non-life-threatening injuries.
A second person who was inside the building did not require hospitalization.