Washington Proposed Premium Increases: What’s an Employer To Do?
The good news is that Washington Legislature’s 2011 reforms are projected to reduce the state fund’s liabilities by almost $400 million. The bad news is…
Washington Workers’ Comp. 101 – What Employers Need to Know
Join me this Thursday, August 2nd from 8 – 9 a.m. to learn about the L&I Administrative Process. The training will include: Claim Investigation, Life…
Court Rules Claimants’ Attorneys Need More Money
In SAIF v. Crystal L. DeLeon (06/28/2012), the Supreme Court held a claimant’s attorney is entitled to an attorney fee whenever the insurer initiates any…
No Annual Increase in Maximum Attorney Fees for July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2013
Every July 1 the attorney fees awarded under ORS 656.262(11)(a) and ORS 656.308(2)(d) are adjusted by the same percentage increase as the average weekly wage. …
Court of Appeals Upholds Right to Apportion Permanent Disability Awards at Closure
In a new PPD case, Schleiss v. SAIF Corp., the Oregon Court of Appeals upheld an insurer’s right to apportion permanent disability awards. Claimant was…
Are actors and acting instructors employees or independent contractors for purposes of workers’ compensation?
Maybe. In a recent case, SAIF Corp v. DCBS and Northwest Children’s Theater and School, the Oregon Court of Appeals discussed the legal framework a…
Join me at the DMEC Employer Work Group on May 30th
On May 30th I will be a facilitator at the ADA/FMLA Employer Work Group lunch session. This is sponsored by Kaiser Permanente & DMEC Oregon/SW Washington. This is an opportunity for…
Wal-Mart Pays the Cost of Misclassifying Employees
The Department of Labor announced today that it has settled a nationwide overtime claim with Wal-Mart. Prior to 2007, the large retail chain misclassified certain…
New Washington Department of Labor & Industries Pension Review Process
To make more efficient use of pension adjudicators’ time, the Department has developed new procedures that went into effect 4-23-12. There is a new Pension…
In Washington – New DLI Requirement
The department, workers, and providers often receive correspondence from self-insured employers or their third party administrators that doesn’t include the department’s (L&I) claim number. Many…
Unemployment Discrimination
This week, the Oregon legislature passed SB 1548 preventing discrimination against the unemployed. This new law, effective March 27, 2012, prohibits ads or job postings…
Employer may have violated ADA and state law by using post-offer medical information in discipline and WC
Employee sued employer alleging workers’ compensation retaliation. Employee alleged the employer misused her post-offer medical questionnaire to terminate her employment and reduce workers’ compensation benefits. …
Welcome to the new SBH Blog
The world of employment and workers’ compensation law is ever changing. The changes are not predictable and it does not make sense to wait until…
