Post by Rip Van Riper As I am called upon to “Blog,” I confess it is something an old time lawyer like me has never done. I think the general idea is to put something on the web that gives insight into your position on some issue. This is a dangerous thing. Those who know… Continue Reading
The Impact of Diabetes & Other Obesity-Related Conditions on Workers’ Compensation Claims
Post by Aisha Taylor There is an obesity epidemic in this country. Obesity’s impact on the workplace is profound, with employer paid, obesity-related health care costs approaching $8 billion per year. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), obesity and associated health conditions, particularly diabetes, are responsible of the increase in employee health care… Continue Reading
S.C. Supreme Court Case Reversal
Sandra Bartley v. AllendaleCountySchool District, Employer, and South Carolina School Board Insurance Trust, Carrier, Respondents Hearing Date – March 1, 2011 Filed April 11, 2011 A recent South Carolina Supreme Court case has emphasized the need for carriers, employers and their respective counsel to be vigilant in examining claims involving aggravation of a preexisting condition… Continue Reading
Why the Mail will Stop on July 1, 2011
Post by Christian Boesl Don’t worry; I am not Nostradamus or Glenn Beck. I am not predicting the Federal Government will shut down because of a budget crisis (although I would not be surprised if it did), but I am predicting that mail carrying “required information” will not reach the South Carolina Second Injury Fund… Continue Reading
The Effect of Child Support Liens on Your Settlement
Greetings! It is a pleasure to be able to blog with you for the next couple weeks. Before I get into the “nuts and bolts” of some workers’ comp tips, I’d like to tell you a little more about myself. I am a husband and father of three. I love spending time with my family. These days,… Continue Reading
Yale Law School’s Dog and Fines, Fines, Fines!
Post By Pete Dworjanyn Yale’s law school library has begun a trial of using Monty, the therapy dog, to help law students cope with the stress of law school. Of course, when the students graduate, they will actually have to buy a dog. It is a good idea though, as I cannot stay grim when I… Continue Reading
We are all affected by the Recession
Worker’s compensation claims have been declining. From FY 08 – 09 to FY 09 – 10, the SC Workers’ Compensation Commission reported a 19% drop in claims. If the current rate of filings holds, claims will drop even more by the end of FY 10-11. Commission Beck and Gary Cannon reported at the SCWCEA Medical… Continue Reading
New Form 21 Delayed
Post by Stan Lacy The South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission did not take up the issue of a new Form 21 as scheduled this week. It was held over to give everyone more time to consider how it should be improved. The topic should be on next month’s Commission’s agenda. If you have comments on… Continue Reading
A New Form 21 is in the Works
Post by Stan Lacy The South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission is revising the Form 21 to make it more flexible and user friendly. Keith Roberts, a second year law student who clerks at the Commission, sent an e-mail last week to a number of defense attorneys asking for comments on a proposed new form. Improving… Continue Reading
Implants Soon to be in the Fee Schedule
Buoyed by the Supreme Courts decision last year in the South Carolina Ambulatory Surgical Assn. v. South Carolina Workers Compensation Commission, the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission is moving forward with the creation of an Ad Hoc Advisory Committee to evaluate and develop recommendations for the maximum allowable payment for surgical implant devices. In 2006,… Continue Reading