Supreme Court shoots down workers’ compensation case for cannabis
- The U.S. Supreme Court denied two petitions by injured workers in Minnesota who sought reimbursement for medical cannabis to treat their work-related injuries.
- The two petitioners sought a review of the Minnesota Supreme Court decision holding that the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) preempted Minnesota law.
- The law resulted in the denial of coverage and/or reimbursement for medical cannabis in connection with their workers’ compensation claims.
- Prior to denying the petitions, the Supreme Court invited the U.S. Solicitor General to file a brief expressing the views of the United States on the questions.
Ohio vehicle parts manufacturer faces $315,000 in fines
- General Aluminum Mfg. Co., an Ohio aluminum vehicle parts manufacturer, was cited for safety and health violations after a worker in Ravenna suffered fatal injuries in March 2021.
- The company allegedly continues to put workers at risk.
- OSHA found that the General Aluminum facility in Conneaut exposed workers to similar machine hazards when the agency served warrants and opened an inspection.
- OSHA cited General Aluminum for two repeat, four serious and two other than serious violations, and assessed $315,952 in proposed penalties.
N.Y. legislator against workers comp proposal
- Lawmakers in the Chautauqua County Legislature authorized the 2023 levy of participants’ share of the county’s self-insurance plan costs for workers’ compensation.
- Jamestown will pay an increase of $157,315, Dunkirk will pay an increase of $86,139 and Westfield will pay an increase of $7,766.
- Legislator Susan Parker (D-Fredonia) voted against the resolution because the cost increase did not take into account the considerable yearly burden to those cities.
- She said a more affordable two-step process was proposed last month at the legislature and could have been afforded to Dunkirk and Jamestown, and the Village of Westfield.
Louisiana attorney disbarred for handling of workers comp cases
- A Louisiana attorney was disbarred after a high court found he neglected legal matters in six workers’ compensation cases.
- William K. Hawkins also failed to communicate with clients, failed to provide client files, and did not cooperate with investigations.
- Hawkins was admitted to the practice of law in Louisiana in 1988 and disciplined for
mishandling client funds in 2008. - He was formally charged several times by the Office of Disciplinary Counsel and was found to have avoided communications and disregarded known duties to his clients.