NIOSH (The National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety) has published a booklet to educate Home Healthcare Workers about preventing latex allergies. Latex products are made from natural rubber, and sensitivity can develop after repeated exposure. Limiting exposure to latex can help prevent allergic reactions for both home healthcare workers and their clients.

Jon Gelman’s newly revised and updated treatise on Workers’ Compensation law has been published by West Group of Egan, MN. 

NEW MEDICARE RECOVERY PROCEEDURE – Medicare Secondary Payer. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is consolidating all of the functions and workloads related to Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) post-payment recoveries into one MSP recovery contract. The contract for the new national MSP Recovery Contractor (MSPRC) will be implemented on October 2, 2006. 

 NJ GOVERNOR CLOSES WORKERS' COMPENSATION COURTS UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE DUE TO STATE BUDGETARY CRISIS Governor Jon S. Corzine today signed an Exec...

NJ WORKERS' COMPENSATION CLAIMS DECLINE
The NJ DWC reported a 5% decline in the filing of claims in 2005 (37,248) from 2004 (39,212). The statistic also represents a 31% decline from 1992 (54,164). This is consistent with the 25% decline in the number of indemnity claims paid in NJ from from 1992 to 2002 as reported by NJ CRIB. NJ Medical costs have soared 108% during the same period of time while indemnity has risen only 48%..

 CMS RASIES THRESHOLD to $25,000 FOR REVIEW CMS' April 25, 2006 Memorandum regarding WCMSAs and Revision of the Low Dollar Threshold for Medicar...

TAINTED TISSUE AND BONES USED IN TRANSPLANTS 

NJ: WC JUDGES HAVE DISCRETION TO RULE ON VALIDITY OF A TDB LIEN. In a complex decision involving causal relationship, apportionment of liability and reimbursement of a TDB lien that Appellate Division responded to a statement made by the trial Judge, "...I am no longer a Judge, I am a statutory collection agency for the Labor Department," by reversing his decision and remanding the matter for hearing.

Esther Weissman, 73, labor lawyer, helped to alter compensation law.

Statement by OSHA Administrator John Henshaw On Worker Memorial Day 2004. "Today is Worker Memorial Day, a day to pay tribute to the men and women who have lost their lives on the job. We mourn with their families and friends, and we recognize that the loss of these very special people extends beyond the home; the loss is felt in schools, places of worship, at social gatherings, in local communities, and throughout the entire nation.

LITERATURE--The Downsizing, then Supersizing of Medicare's Super Lien by Fred Johnson*
A year ago, a federal fifth circuit ruling cut Medicare's super lien down to size, arguably providing that the government's subrogation interest did not attach to numerous settlement proceeds. But later rulings challenged that reasoning, and the Medicare reform law passed last month apparently gives the government broader power than before.

HEARING LOSS AMONG CARPENTERS--A carpenter uses a Skilsaw to cut wood to build a concrete form. Photo by Rick Neitzel. By age 50, two out of three carpenters have lost so much hearing from occupational noise exposure that they need hearing aids. Researchers at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health are studying ways to prevent occupational hearing loss and how to teach carpenters to value good hearing .

 California Court Finds Exclusivity Rule Did Not Bar A Malicious Prosecution Action Against Liberty Mutual

Barbara Morris, appellee, v. Nebraska Health System,  appellant, & Sedgwick Claims Management Services, Inc., and University of Nebraska Medical Center, appellees. Morris v. Nebraska Health System,  266 Neb. 285 

Latex: NE Sp Ct finds petitioner totally & permanently disabled Morris v. Nebraska Health System, S-01-1194, 266 Neb. 285

 LOZANO v. FRANK DE LUCA CONSTRUCTION,--Appellate Division, A-2730- 01TI, March 27, 2003, not approved for publication. Denial of the petitioner mason's motion for medical and temporary disability benefits for injuries that he sustained while driving a go-cart when he was working for the respondent construction company affirmed; the petitioner was not entitled to workers' compensation benefits because he was "engaged in a recreational activity that did not arise out of or in the course of his employment"; moreover, the findings of the judge of compensation were supported by substantial and credible evidence.

Pennsylvania: Defense Denied Medical Expert Evaluation When a Latex-Free Environment Cannot be Guaranteed

The current system faces endless medical costs and 
an expanding perimeter of liability.

The purpose of this publication is to provide an overview of current research projects that are conducted or funded by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) that focus on reducing work-related hazards in the health care industry.

 A summary of State causation elements.