Misclassifying Independent Contractors Costs Workers Billions in Benefits Misclassifying employees as independent contractors shifts significant financial burdens onto workers by forcing them to cover their own disability and injury insurance.  This systemic practice bypasses the workers’ compensation system, leaving millions without guaranteed medical coverage or wage replacement after workplace accidents.  Consequently, employers avoid billions in […]

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 […]

NY Panel Upholds Denial of Psychological‑Injury Claim A New York appellate court affirmed a Workers’ Compensation Board decision denying a custodial worker’s claim for psychological injuries allegedly caused by unsanitary conditions at a migrant processing center.  The Board found his stress was not greater than that experienced by similarly situated employees.  It credited testimony that […]

Worker Claims Retaliation After Reopening Injury Case A Frito-Lay warehouse employee sued the company, alleging retaliation after he reopened a workers’ compensation claim for a knee injury.  The suit says management delayed his injury report and issued a warning the day he finally filed it.  He claims he was suspended shortly after disputing the handling […]

Plattsburgh Workers’ Comp Board Office to Close The New York State Workers’ Compensation Board will close its Plattsburgh customer service center on May 4.  The agency said most hearings now occur virtually, reducing the need for smaller regional offices.  In‑person appointments for the area have already been handled through the Albany district office.  The closure […]

Florida Appeals Court Overturns Precedent on Workers’ Comp Deadlines A Florida appellate court ruled that Nancy Estes, a teacher who suffered a work-related knee injury, was not time-barred from seeking additional workers’ compensation benefits.  Overturning 26 years of legal precedent, the court found that the two-year statute of limitations is suspended, rather than merely extended, […]

Former Florida Postal Worker Sentenced for Massive Fraud A former Florida rural carrier received a two-year prison sentence for defrauding the workers’ compensation program of nearly $650,000.  Despite claiming total disability since 2000, investigators used surveillance to document her performing heavy yard work and gym activities.  She also failed to report rental income from a […]

Florida Contractor Arrested in $1 Million Workers’ Comp Fraud Scheme An Orlando contractor faces felony charges for allegedly concealing over $1 million in payroll to avoid paying workers’ comp premiums.  The business owner misrepresented the company’s workforce size to significantly underpay insurance costs intended to protect employees.  State investigators discovered the scheme during a routine […]

New York Proposes Expansion of Workers’ Comp Benefits for Mental Health New York lawmakers are considering a bill to expand workers’ comp eligibility for employees suffering from job-related mental health issues.  Current state law requires proof of extraordinary stress, but the new proposal would lower that high legal threshold.  Supporters argue this change ensures psychological […]

Utah Warning: Scam Targets Injured Workers’ Comp Claimants The Utah Labor Commission warns of a national scam where fraudsters impersonate officials to target workers’ compensation claimants for fraudulent fees.  Scammers demand payment to “release” benefits, a practice illegitimate in valid workers’ compensation processes.  Authorities urge injured employees to never pay fees and to report suspicious […]