Category: Worker’s Compensation
Data Shows Wisconsin Insurers Continue to Pay High Prices for Work Comp Treatment
By Atty. Ken J. Kucinski The Workers Compensation Research Institute—a Cambridge, MA based not-for-profit research organization—released the 9th edition of its Medical Price Index for Worker’s Compensation in July of 2017. Thirty-one states were studied, including Wisconsin. The study utilized data collected from 2008 through June of 2016. The results showed that Wisconsin insurers paid […]
February 2018 Worker’s Compensation Case Law Update
By Atty. Reid H. Rayome Several Wisconsin court and administrative decisions were issued in worker’s compensation cases between January 31, 2018, and February 28, 2018. Our firm is happy to provide this summary of a few of the most interesting of those recent decisions to highlight trends in the law and important issues worth considering. […]
A Cautionary Tale for Businesses Utilizing Temporary Help Agencies for Staffing Needs: In Re Estate of Rivera v. West Bend Mutual Ins. Co. et. al. (2017-AP-142).
By Atty. Ken J. Kucinski The Wisconsin Court of Appeals for the 3rd District issued a decision on January 9, 2018, which construed the Worker’s Compensation Act (“WCA”) to allow an employee of a temporary staffing agency to bring a tort claim against the temporary staffing agency’s client. The Court of Appeals rejected the defense […]
December 2017 Worker’s Compensation Case Law Update
Once again, we bring to you a summary of some of the recent court opinions and administrative decisions regarding worker’s compensation claims. Please note that every case is unique and these updates may not apply to a claim you are handling. If you have questions about a claim, or if you want legal advice, please […]
November 2017 Worker’s Compensation Law Update
Each month, Aplin & Ringsmuth attorneys will be providing this update which provides a glance at recent court opinions and administrative decisions. We will highlight trends in the law and identify issues that players in Wisconsin’s worker’s compensation system should be considering. Every case is unique, and these updates may not apply to a situation […]
Court of Appeals Sides with Aplin & Ringsmuth Attorneys
By Atty. Ken J. Kucinski On July 18, 2017, the Court of Appeals of Wisconsin filed their opinion affirming the decision of the lower courts and denying the plaintiff’s claim for benefits arising out of an alleged mental stress injury. The plaintiff was employed as a police officer and alleged that the stress she experienced […]
New OSHA Rule Affects Post-Accident Drug/Alcohol Testing
By Attorney Jennifer Augustin You may already be familiar with the rules that require some employers to track work-related injuries and illnesses in what is commonly referred to as an “OSHA log.” What you might not know is that, as of January 1, 2017, OSHA has revised these rules, and the revisions have implications for post-accident […]
More Changes on The Way for Worker’s Compensation Claims in Wisconsin
By Attorney Jennifer Augustin Once again, there may be some big changes coming to worker’s compensation claims in Wisconsin; and once again they are coming from the Governor rather than the Worker’s Compensation Advisory Council. On February 8, 2017, the Governor submitted his 2017-2019 budget recommendations, which have been presented to the Legislature as Assembly Bill […]
Governor Directs DWD to Incorporate Best Practices for Opioid Prescription into Work Comp Statutes
The abuse of opioid medications like oxycodone, hydrocodone, and methadone has been described as having reached epidemic levels in the State of Wisconsin. In September of 2016 Governor Scott Walker unveiled the creation of a “Task Force on Opioid Abuse,” with an aim to work toward reducing and reversing the current trend of opioid abuse […]
Wisconsin Insurers Pay High Prices for Work Comp Treatment, According to Latest Study
Wisconsin Insurers Pay a High Price for Worker’s Compensation Treatment, According to a Recent WCRI Study The Worker’s Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) released the 8th Edition of its Medical Price Index for Worker’s Compensation last month. The study compared the price of providing worker’s compensation treatment in 31 large American states. Wisconsin was among the 31 states […]