New Magistrate Docket Assignment List
Workers’ Compensation Agency (WCA) releases updated magistrate docket assignment list effective January 28, 2019. Many of our clients wonder about the location of their workers’ compensation case. These types of matters are administrative and not decided at the local courthouse. The county of injury determines where a case will take place. Hearing sites are in […]
Travelers insurance accused of not providing needed medical care
Neurologist selected by Travelers accused of providing false information in workers’ comp matter that led to denied benefits. We saw an article about a man living in Florida who was seriously injured in a workplace explosion but could not get needed medical care. He reports concussion-like symptoms including headaches, insomnia, fatigue, depression, anxiety, light sensitivity, […]
Illegal employment of minors and workers’ compensation
Warning for Michigan businesses who illegally employ minors and potential consequences if they are hurt on-the-job. The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has fined a Grand Rapids manufacturer $28,474 for child labor violations. A 17-year-old employee suffered an amputation of his right index finger while operating an unguarded band saw. It was found the company […]
Opioid death and workers’ compensation
Michigan workers’ compensation law places little value on human life when someone dies from an opioid overdose. Yesterday’s blog post was about the chances of dying from an opioid overdose increasing to 1 in 96. This statistic is a reminder about the dangers of opioid addiction and shows how bad the epidemic has become. We […]
Illegal aliens can get workers’ compensation
Undocumented immigrants are permitted to seek workers’ compensation in Michigan. CNBC has reported that the partial government shutdown is now the longest in history and 800,000 federal workers are missing paychecks. The battle over funding a southern border wall rages on with no end in sight. Comprehensive imagination reform is not even close to being […]
Minimum wage to increase January 1, 2019
Why a rising minimum wage is a good thing for people on Michigan workers’ compensation. Governor Rick Snyder has signed legislation (Senate Bill No. 1171) watering down an approved ballot initiative that would have increased the minimum wage. It will now be set at $9.45 starting in 2019. We are strong advocates for a higher […]
Winter Solstice (2018)
Driving for your job in the winter months can be extremely dangerous but workers’ compensation is available to protect you in the event of an auto accident. Winter officially arrives on December 21, 2018 at 5:23 PM. Poor weather conditions are sure to follow. Snow, freezing rain, ice, and wind all contribute to dangerous roads. […]
Understanding the 2019 Weekly Benefit Tables
How tax filing status and number of dependents can impact the payment rate under workers’ compensation in Michigan. Yesterday’s blog post was about the 2019 Weekly Benefit Tables being released. It discussed how to calculate an employee’s average weekly wage and figure out the payment rate under workers’ compensation in Michigan. Two additional factors that […]
Answers to workers’ comp questions now!
Law firm staff can help with status updates, general questions, and make sure your file is up to date. Our annual Thanksgiving blog post was devoted to people who help after a workplace accident. Included on the list was our law firm staff who answer general questions and help prepare cases for trial and/or settlement. […]
Winter has come early this year for Michigan
Types of workers’ comp claims that are covered in Michigan when employees get hurt because of ice and snow. Temperatures are dropping into the 30s and snow has already fallen. Winter has indeed come early this year! Here is our annual warning for cold weather danger. We frequently have clients hurt from a slip and […]