Trump Nominates Workers’ Compensation Director to Labor Board
- President Trump nominated James Macy, the current director of the Department of Labor’s Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs, to the National Labor Relations Board.
- Macy’s appointment as a third Republican would provide the majority needed to overturn union-friendly precedents.
- Before leading federal workers’ compensation initiatives, he spent four decades as a management-side labor attorney.
- This transition from overseeing federal injury benefits to the labor panel signals a shift toward employer-favored policies.
Vandergrift Fire Service Interrupted by Insurance Lapse
- Vandergrift’s two volunteer fire departments have suspended operations following a lapse in mandatory workers’ compensation insurance.
- Pennsylvania law requires municipalities to maintain this coverage to protect first responders against work-related injuries.
- Borough officials discovered the administrative oversight last Friday but could not reinstate the policy over the weekend.
- Neighboring fire companies are currently handling all emergency calls until the borough restores coverage.
N.H. Supreme Court Denies Death Benefits Following Carpenter’s Embolism
- Carpenter Matthew Kelley died after suffering a pulmonary embolism while working on a bridge, leading to a fall into water.
- Although the Department of Labor initially granted benefits, the Compensation Appeals Board reversed this decision upon review.
- The New Hampshire Supreme Court upheld the denial, finding the estate failed to prove employment risk caused the embolism.
- Ultimately, the death was ruled a non-compensable personal medical event.