Late last week, the Supreme Court of Kentucky ruled that the screening system used to detemine if a miner qualified for workers’ comp is actually violating the miners’ constitutional rights. In particular, miners must jump through many hoops to qualify for compensation, and the court said this practice unduly prejudices…
According to an article posted last week on CNN.com, a new study shows that many police officers need more and better sleep. The results are alarming: Researchers screened officers for sleeping disorders and found that 40% had at least one disorder, such as obstructive sleep apnea or insomnia. Those with…
According to the Scranton Times-Tribune, Scranton officials want to borrow $5 million from its workers’ compensation fund to pay the outstanding balance on a tax anticipation note. The article published Dec. 20 stated the money would be paid back in 2012, which city officials have said would add to a…
According to a recent news release, the governor will lead a delegation of Pennsylvania business leaders on a trade mission to France and Germany in the spring focusing on connecting Pa. companies with potential export partners and encouraging international business to invest in the state. The mission will be privately…
The U.S. House of Representatives recently approved the Federal Workers’ Compensation Modernization and Improvement Act, legislation that will strengthen and enhance the workers’ compensation program for federal employees. “Reform of the federal workers’ compensation program is long overdue. “I am grateful for the time and effort my colleagues on both…
Pennsylvania’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped in October, down to 8.1 percent from 8.3 percent in September. The rate is down .4 percentage points from October 2010. The state’s seasonally adjusted civilian labor force, the number of people working or looking for work, was up 18,000 in October according to…
The attorneys and staff of O’Connor Law wish you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving and safe journey to those who are travelling this holiday weekend!
This week the Pennsylvania Superior Court decided in favor of Kraft Foods Global Inc., saying that they could not be sued for damages by a Nabisco employee who was severely injured by cracker-cutting equipment. According to an article on BusinessInsurance. com, the employee began working at the Philadelphia bakery in…
Videos recently released by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration have been designed to alert workers and employers about the hazards of the construction industry. According to a news release issued Nov. 14, the 12 videos are each two to four minutes long, are available in…
The high injury rates of health care workers in nursing homes have not gone unnoticed by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). In a Nov. 9 announcement, Assistant Labor Secretary David Michaels said, “OSHA is responding by launching, in the next few months, a national emphasis program on nursing…