Author: Kara Cogswell Kidder

April 11, 2024
by Kara Cogswell Kidder

New Oregon Law Amending OFLA & PLO Takes Effect July 1, 2024

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek recently signed new legislation aimed at simplifying Oregon’s leave laws.  Senate Bill 1515 eliminates many types of leave previously covered under…

September 19, 2023
by Kara Cogswell Kidder

EEOC Provides Updated Guidance on ADA, Including Implications of New Technology

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently issued updated guidance for how the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) applies to job applicants and employees…

March 29, 2023
by Kara Cogswell Kidder

New Washington Board Decision Addresses Closure of Claims When Worker Deceased

The Washington Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals recently designated a new significant decision addressing the situation where a worker dies for unrelated reasons with an…

September 28, 2022
by Kara Cogswell Kidder

Washington Court of Appeals Issues New Decision Which Defines Reasonable Accommodations of Religious Beliefs – and Raises New Questions For Employers

The Washington Court of Appeals, Division 3, issued a decision on September 20, 2022 defining for the first time what is a “reasonable accommodation” of…

May 18, 2022
by Kara Cogswell Kidder

Ninth Circuit Agrees Temporary Impairments Can Be Disabilities Under ADA

A recent decision by the Ninth Circuit confirms that temporary medical conditions can qualify as disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).  The outcome…

December 29, 2021
by Kara Cogswell Kidder

Sixth Circuit Upholds Vaccine Mandate for Large Employers

Earlier this month, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit lifted a stay by the Fifth Circuit on President Biden’s federal vaccine mandate…

August 25, 2021
by Kara Cogswell Kidder

Board’s 2020 Significant Decisions Include Two of Interest to First Responder Employers

The Washington Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals recently published its list of Significant Decisions for 2020.  Per WAC 263-12-194, these are decisions which the Board…

April 29, 2021
by Kara Cogswell Kidder

Washington L&I Updates Guidance on Out-of-State Travel for IMEs

For employers with Washington claims involving individuals who have moved out of state, the pandemic has made it very difficult to obtain independent medical examinations….

December 21, 2020
by Kara Cogswell Kidder

New Year, New Restrictions On IMEs in Washington

New Year, New Restrictions On IMEs in Washington With the new year, comes new restrictions on independent medical examinations in Washington. On January 1, legislative…

August 26, 2020
by Kara Cogswell Kidder

Washington Self-Insured Employers Face Increased Penalty Amounts Starting September 1

Self-insured employers in Washington should be aware that penalty amounts increase on September 1, 2020, as a result of HB 2409, passed earlier this year….

April 21, 2020
by Kara Cogswell Kidder

L&I Offers Some Guidance on Active Retraining Plans through Office Careers as Moratorium On New Plans Remains in Place

In early March, the Washington Department of Labor of Industries announced a moratorium on approval of new vocational plans that include retraining by Office Careers….

December 6, 2018
by Kara Cogswell Kidder

Final Rules Issued for Oregon Equal Pay Law Effective January 1, 2019

The Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) recently issued final rules implementing the Oregon Equal Pay Law, most provisions of which take effect on January…

September 11, 2018
by Kara Cogswell Kidder

BOLI issues proposed rules for Equal Pay Law

The Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries (“BOLI”) recently issued proposed rules implementing the Oregon Equal Pay Law, most provisions of which take effect on January…