Airs on American Experience on PBS Feb. 28, 2011 at 9:00pm on most PBS stations. Commemorating the workers' compensation centennial.
Monday, February 28, 2011
The Triangle Fire Airs on PBS Feb 28, 2011
Airs on American Experience on PBS Feb. 28, 2011 at 9:00pm on most PBS stations. Commemorating the workers' compensation centennial.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Montana Targets Workers Compensation to Reduce Deficit Spending
The State of Montana has targeted its workers' compensation program in an effort to reduce its deficit spending. Montana has the some of the largest premium costs in the nation and the state ranks 47th in take home pay. Legislation now pending will reduce workers' compensation premiums by 45% allegedly.
Court Rules Social Security Offset Not Barred by Time
A NJ Court of Appeals has ruled that the reverse-offset permitted under Federal law was allowed to be asserted by an insurance carrier years after an original workers' compensation judgment was entered. Even though the employee pleaded that the insurance company had sat on its rights for years, and done nothing to assert the offset, the Court maintained that the insurance company was entitled to reclaim the benefits it had overpaid.
Since the information provided by parties to define the numerical offset was lacking, and the decision below lacked "specific reasons and analysis," the matter was remanded for further proceedings.
NJ is one of the states that elected to have the insurance company / employer take the offset under the options available in 1980. Most states allow Social Security to take the offset.
Gonzalez v Bristol-Meyers Squibb, 2011WL611722, Docket No. A-2187-09T3 (NJ App Div 2011)
Since the information provided by parties to define the numerical offset was lacking, and the decision below lacked "specific reasons and analysis," the matter was remanded for further proceedings.
NJ is one of the states that elected to have the insurance company / employer take the offset under the options available in 1980. Most states allow Social Security to take the offset.
Gonzalez v Bristol-Meyers Squibb, 2011WL611722, Docket No. A-2187-09T3 (NJ App Div 2011)
Using the Forbidden Words-Texas Workers Compensation
The Texas Workers Compensation Agency has sent a cease-and-desist letter to to the author of the Texas Workers Compensation Law Blog requesting that he stop using the term(s), "Texas Workers Compensation" in his blog. The Lubbock, Texas workers compensation lawyer has filed a lawsuit in federal court alleging violation of his First Amendment rights have been violated.
The Texas Labor Code s 419.002 prohibits “any impersonation, advertisement, solicitation, business name, business activity, document, product or service.” The Texas blog author, who has sought declaratory relief, has alleged that the statute is overly broad and violates his Right to Free Speech. The blogger is certified in Workers' Compensation Law from the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
The Texas Labor Code s 419.002 prohibits “any impersonation, advertisement, solicitation, business name, business activity, document, product or service.” The Texas blog author, who has sought declaratory relief, has alleged that the statute is overly broad and violates his Right to Free Speech. The blogger is certified in Workers' Compensation Law from the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Pulmonary Disease Linked to World Trade Center Disaster
Image via WikipediaA study, recently published, reveals that sarcoid like granulomatous pulmonary disease is present among the WTC responders. More than 20,000 responders have been examined through the World Trade Center (WTC) Medical Monitoring and Treatment Program since September 11, 2001. Studies on WTC firefighters have shown elevated rates of sarcoidosis. The main objective of this study was to report the incidence of “sarcoid like” granulomatous pulmonary disease in other WTC responders.Cases of sarcoid like granulomatous pulmonary disease were identified by: patient self-report, physician report and ICD-9 codes. Each case was evaluated by three pulmonologists using the ACCESS criteria and only “definite” cases are reported.
Thirty-eight patients were classified as “definite” cases. Six-year incidence was 192/100,000. The peak annual incidence of 54 per 100,000 person-years occurred between 9/11/2003 and 9/11/2004. Incidence in black responders was nearly double that of white responders. Low FVC was the most common spirometric abnormality.
On January 2, 2010, President Barack Obama signed the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act establishing the World Trade Health Program and extends and expands eligibility for compensation under the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001.
For over 3 decades the Law Offices of Jon L. Gelman 1.973.696.7900 jon@gelmans.com have been representing injured workers and their families who have suffered asbestos related disease. Please contact our office if you require assistance in filing a claim under the newly enacted James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Zadroga Health Fund: Utility Workers Suffer Increased Anxiety
A recent study reveals that utility workers who were deployed at the World Trade Center (WTC) disaster site on 9/11 have an increased level of post traumatic stress disorders (PTSD) and depression. The study may significantly increases the potential benefits that utility workers may obtain under the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act (“Zadroga Act”) providing a total of $4.3 billion in health benefits and financial compensation for victims, responders, and other harmed by the attacks of September 11th and its aftermath.
The report concludes that, nonrescue workers deployed to a disaster site are at risk for PTSD and depression. Extent of exposure affected the most vulnerable workers differently than the least vulnerable ones. These results suggest that the relationship among predictors of PTSD may be different for different vulnerability groups, and underscore the importance of screening, education, and prevention programs for disaster workers.
Recent attention has begun to be focused on the effects of disaster recovery work on nonrescue workers. The study assesses the prevalence and predictors of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and related symptoms in a population of utility workers deployed to the World Trade Center (WTC) site in the aftermath of 9/11. Utility workers deployed to the WTC site were screened at their place of employment between 10 and 34 months following the WTC attacks, utilizing both structured interviews and self-report measures.
Eligibility for benefits under the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act include those who were World Trade Center victims and First Responders. Under the law those who worked, attended school, childcare and adult day care, may be eligible. The program also covers some who were present in the area of the dust cloud or who lived in the the New York City disaster area. Certain cleanup and maintenance workers are included including tele-communications workers such as Verizon, AT and T and other employees.
2. Chronic respiratory disorder--fumes/vapors.
3. Asthma.
4. Reactive airways dysfunction syndrome (RADS).
5. WTC-exacerbated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
6. Chronic cough syndrome.
7. Upper airway hyperreactivity.
8. Chronic rhinosinusitis.
9. Chronic nasopharyngitis.
10. Chronic laryngitis.
11. Gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD).
Like the September 11th Victim Compensation Act of 2001, even if the exposed individuals are living in another state, but were exposed at the NY Disaster Area, the ill individuals may apply for benefits.
For over 3 decades the Law Offices of Jon L. Gelman 1.973.696.7900 jon@gelmans.com have been representing injured workers and their families who have suffered asbestos related disease. Please contact our office if you require assistance in filing a claim under the newly enacted James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act.
The report concludes that, nonrescue workers deployed to a disaster site are at risk for PTSD and depression. Extent of exposure affected the most vulnerable workers differently than the least vulnerable ones. These results suggest that the relationship among predictors of PTSD may be different for different vulnerability groups, and underscore the importance of screening, education, and prevention programs for disaster workers.
Recent attention has begun to be focused on the effects of disaster recovery work on nonrescue workers. The study assesses the prevalence and predictors of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and related symptoms in a population of utility workers deployed to the World Trade Center (WTC) site in the aftermath of 9/11. Utility workers deployed to the WTC site were screened at their place of employment between 10 and 34 months following the WTC attacks, utilizing both structured interviews and self-report measures.
Eligibility for benefits under the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act include those who were World Trade Center victims and First Responders. Under the law those who worked, attended school, childcare and adult day care, may be eligible. The program also covers some who were present in the area of the dust cloud or who lived in the the New York City disaster area. Certain cleanup and maintenance workers are included including tele-communications workers such as Verizon, AT and T and other employees.
Additionally, various respiratory and digestive diseases are being reported including:
1. Interstitial lung diseases.2. Chronic respiratory disorder--fumes/vapors.
3. Asthma.
4. Reactive airways dysfunction syndrome (RADS).
5. WTC-exacerbated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
6. Chronic cough syndrome.
7. Upper airway hyperreactivity.
8. Chronic rhinosinusitis.
9. Chronic nasopharyngitis.
10. Chronic laryngitis.
11. Gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD).
Like the September 11th Victim Compensation Act of 2001, even if the exposed individuals are living in another state, but were exposed at the NY Disaster Area, the ill individuals may apply for benefits.
For over 3 decades the Law Offices of Jon L. Gelman 1.973.696.7900 jon@gelmans.com have been representing injured workers and their families who have suffered asbestos related disease. Please contact our office if you require assistance in filing a claim under the newly enacted James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act.
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Monday, February 21, 2011
Obama Care for All
Over half our injured worker clients do not have health insurance. Many work for employers who do not provide health insurance, and they simply cannot afford private insurance on meager wages.
Since workers do not have group health insurance coverage, they are denied access to the medical care they need when their injury claims are denied by the worker's compensation insurer. And their claims are routinely denied based on the comp carrier's "hired gun" adverse medical examiner or reviewer. Understandably, hospitals and doctors, who have "bottom line" issues to face, will not provide treatment without some assurance of "upfront" payment, leaving injured workers in the lurch.
Wisconsin injured workers are fortunate that our State law provides a potential remedy for "prospective treatment"; a judge can order a worker's compensation insurance company to pay for treatment (including diagnostic testing, surgery, etc.). But the time lapse in waiting for a hearing (40-6 months) and inevitable insurance company appeal (another potential 6-8 months), realistically means that necessary treatment goes wanting. Injured workers without some insurance alternative to workers compensation suffer while waiting for treatment. Universal health insurance coverage provides an answer to this dilemma.
Thomas M. Domer practices in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (www.domerlaw.com). He has authored and edited several publications including the legal treatise Wisconsin Workers' Compensation Law (West) and he is the Editor of the national publication, Workers' First Watch. Tom is past chair of the Workers' Compensation Section of the American Association for Justice. He is a charter Fellow in the College of Workers' Compensation Lawyers. He co-authors the nationally recognized Wisconsin Workers' Compensation Blog.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
OSHA Fines NJ Contractor $45,450 For Safety Violations
The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited the general contractor for the Sheridan Avenue Steam Plant renovation project in Albany for repeat and serious violations of safety standards. Plato Construction Corp. of Hopewell, N.J., faces a total of $45,540 in proposed fines, chiefly for scaffold and fall hazards.
"Falls are among the deadliest hazards in construction. They can end a life or a career in seconds," said Edward Jerome, OSHA's area director in Albany. "Proper scaffold erection, safe work practices and effective fall protection are critical in protecting workers against this potentially deadly hazard."
OSHA found employees exposed to fall hazards ranging from 27 to 41 feet while working without fall protection on a scaffold that was not fully guarded, climbing atop the scaffold's guardrails and standing on an empty plastic bucket on the scaffold's deck. The agency has alleged that scaffold's tiebacks were not anchored securely, its pulley block was damaged, and it had not been erected by a competent person. Other hazards included an electrical panel box that was not protected against water, a power cord that lacked strain relief, an unguarded grinder blade and a damaged power cord with exposed wiring.
OSHA issued Plato Construction Corp. two repeat citations with $13,200 in proposed fines for the lack of scaffold fall protection and the damaged power cord, and nine serious citations with $32,340 in fines for the remaining items. OSHA issues a serious citation when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known. The repeat citations stem from OSHA's having cited the company in December 2006 for similar hazards at a Philadelphia, Pa., worksite. A repeat citation is issued when an employer previously has been cited for the same or a similar violation of a standard, regulation, rule or order at any other facility in federal enforcement states within the last five years.
"One means of eliminating recurring hazards such as these is for employers to establish an injury and illness prevention program in which workers and management work together to continually eliminate hazardous conditions," said Robert Kulick, OSHA's regional administrator in New York.
"Falls are among the deadliest hazards in construction. They can end a life or a career in seconds," said Edward Jerome, OSHA's area director in Albany. "Proper scaffold erection, safe work practices and effective fall protection are critical in protecting workers against this potentially deadly hazard."
OSHA found employees exposed to fall hazards ranging from 27 to 41 feet while working without fall protection on a scaffold that was not fully guarded, climbing atop the scaffold's guardrails and standing on an empty plastic bucket on the scaffold's deck. The agency has alleged that scaffold's tiebacks were not anchored securely, its pulley block was damaged, and it had not been erected by a competent person. Other hazards included an electrical panel box that was not protected against water, a power cord that lacked strain relief, an unguarded grinder blade and a damaged power cord with exposed wiring.
OSHA issued Plato Construction Corp. two repeat citations with $13,200 in proposed fines for the lack of scaffold fall protection and the damaged power cord, and nine serious citations with $32,340 in fines for the remaining items. OSHA issues a serious citation when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known. The repeat citations stem from OSHA's having cited the company in December 2006 for similar hazards at a Philadelphia, Pa., worksite. A repeat citation is issued when an employer previously has been cited for the same or a similar violation of a standard, regulation, rule or order at any other facility in federal enforcement states within the last five years.
"One means of eliminating recurring hazards such as these is for employers to establish an injury and illness prevention program in which workers and management work together to continually eliminate hazardous conditions," said Robert Kulick, OSHA's regional administrator in New York.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Federal Probe Requested of Illinois Workers Compensation Arbitrator
Illinois Senator Kyle McCarter (R-Lebonon) has called for a Federal probe into the alleged actions of the arbitrator who allegedly delayed the hearing of a controversial case involving a State Trooper who was involved in a fatal motor vehicle accident while texting and driving at 126 miles per hour.
As a result of his distracted driving two teenagers were killed in the accident. The state trooper pleaded guilty to two counts of reckless homicide last year. He has since resigned from his job.
As a result of his distracted driving two teenagers were killed in the accident. The state trooper pleaded guilty to two counts of reckless homicide last year. He has since resigned from his job.
From Doughnuts to Workers Compensation Dollars
The failure to provide complete subsidies for prescription-drug coverage will indirectly continue to have an adverse financial impact on soaring workers' compensation costs. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) enacted in March 2010 has attempted but not completely removed the so-called "doughnut hole."
The aging workforce continues to increase as a result of both the economic downturn, as well a a dramatically increased retirement age. Furthermore, the increase in the denial rate of occupational conditions, some caused by latent disease, has increased to the number of beneficiaries on the Medicare system. Medicare continues to seek reimbursement through the Medicare Secondary Payer Act of conditional secondary payments to potential workers' compensation beneficiaries.
Those who elect Part D coverage, after the yearly deductible ($310) , are entitled to contribution from the Federal program for up to 25% of additional medical costs. Once they enter "the gap" in coverage ($2,840 to $4,550), the beneficiary is responsible for 100% of prescription costs.
William H. Shrank, MD, M.S.H.S and Niteesh K. Choudhry, M.D., Ph.D., point out in their recent article in the New England Journal Of Medicine, that the present "doughnut hole system" results in seniors not taking prescribed medication because of the inability to pay dor drugs. The failure to deliver prescription care to seniors will ultimately result in an unhealthier workforce that the workers' compensation system will have the potential indirect responsibility to pay for. The cascading and progressive complications of underlying disease will have systemic negative health consequences for the aging workforce, and ultimately their employers, and their workers' compensation insurance coverage.
The aging workforce continues to increase as a result of both the economic downturn, as well a a dramatically increased retirement age. Furthermore, the increase in the denial rate of occupational conditions, some caused by latent disease, has increased to the number of beneficiaries on the Medicare system. Medicare continues to seek reimbursement through the Medicare Secondary Payer Act of conditional secondary payments to potential workers' compensation beneficiaries.
Those who elect Part D coverage, after the yearly deductible ($310) , are entitled to contribution from the Federal program for up to 25% of additional medical costs. Once they enter "the gap" in coverage ($2,840 to $4,550), the beneficiary is responsible for 100% of prescription costs.
William H. Shrank, MD, M.S.H.S and Niteesh K. Choudhry, M.D., Ph.D., point out in their recent article in the New England Journal Of Medicine, that the present "doughnut hole system" results in seniors not taking prescribed medication because of the inability to pay dor drugs. The failure to deliver prescription care to seniors will ultimately result in an unhealthier workforce that the workers' compensation system will have the potential indirect responsibility to pay for. The cascading and progressive complications of underlying disease will have systemic negative health consequences for the aging workforce, and ultimately their employers, and their workers' compensation insurance coverage.
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Thursday, February 17, 2011
Medicare Secondary Payment Interest Calculation Tool Updated
The Medicare Secondary Payer Recovery Contractor (MSPRC) has published an updated version of its Interest Calculation Tool.
- Interest Periods tab The Interest Periods tab gives you the ability to enter a specific demand date and calculate the exact day interest will be assessed each month thereafter for that demand.
- Demands before October 2004 tab Demands that were issued prior to October 1, 2004 are handled slightly differently. This tab allows you to perform appropriate interest calculations that are tailored to these specific demands.
- How Interest is Calculated tab Want to know how interest is calculated? This tab provides education on MSPRC's interest calculation process. This includes how the accrual of interest is calculated from day 1 of the demand letter date, the 60-day grace period to pay that amount, and how interest is assessed on the demand amount if the demand is not paid within the grace period. This tab also provides the actual formula for interest calculation to give you a better understanding of the process.Download the Excel based tool at: http://www.msprc.info/forms/Interest%20Calculation%20Tool%20(GHP%20&%20NGHP).xls
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Hot Topics in Workers’ Compensation Law 2011 Seminar
This popular annual program, offered by the NJ Institute for Continuing Legal Education (NJICLE), is geared to both the novice and expert Workers’ Compensation attorney. It provides important and essential information to understand the cutting edge and critical issues confronting those who practice workplace injury law.
During the program, you’ll gain insight into understanding both simple and complex jurisdictional issues, medical benefits, and off-premises injuries. The seminar will enlighten you of ethical issues in obtaining and utilizing social networking evidence. The program will provide guidance by a judicial panel of ethical considerations in the negotiation, presentation and finalization of a settlement in workers’ compensation matters.
The seminar features a panel of some of the most respected New Jersey Workers' Compensation Judges and attorneys, who will review and provide insight on the top issues and cases that have emerged during the past year.
As an attendee, you’ll pick up practical pointers that have proven successful in matters ranging from jurisdictional issues through coverage of employment. The program will expand your horizons and broaden your practice potential into expanding in developing areas of the law. Make plans to register today!
Program Agenda
· The Ethical Considerations of the Settlement, Strategy & Tactics· Medical Benefits: Compliance, Penalties and Counsel Fees
· Social Networking: The Perils & Pitfalls for Employee & Employers
· Multi-State Jurisdictional Issues and Apportionment of Liability
· Off Premises Injuries: When Is A Trip to the Coffeehouse Compensable
· Discrimination Claims: Current Developments
Program Moderators
Author, NJ Workers' Compensation Law 3rd Ed (Thompson-West)
Jon L. Gelman, LLC
(Wayne)
Weston Stierli McFadden & Capotorto
Certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Workers’ Compensation Attorney
(Parsippany)
Speakers
Supervising Judge of Workers’ Compensation
(Camden)
Supervising Judge of Workers’ Compensation
(Bridgeton)
Judge of Workers’ Compensation
(Newark)
Judge of Workers’ Compensation
(Hackensack)
Rabner Allcorn Baumgart & Ben-Asher, P.C.
(Upper Montclair)
Kancher Law Firm, L.L.C.
(Haddonfield)
Certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Workers’ Compensation Attorney
Smith Magram Berenato & Michaud
(Burlington)
(Burlington)
Certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Workers’ Compensation Attorney
Pietras, Saracino, Smith & Meeks
(Cherry Hill)
Certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Workers’ Compensation Attorney
David Tykulsker & Associates
(Montclair)
A National Celebration of the Workers' Compensation Centennial
Guest Blog by Alan S. Pierce
The year 1911 saw the enactment of this country’s first state-based Workers’ Compensation laws. The effects of the Industrial Revolution begun some decades earlier made it necessary to change the way the costs associated with workplace injuries and deaths were compensated.
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| Alan S. Pierce |
Wisconsin claims credit for the first constitutional statute (earlier attempts failed constitutional muster) with Massachusetts and nine more states not far behind. Thirty-six other states followed by the end of the decade.
So it’s no surprise that 2011 will see various commemorations of this social, economic and legal milestone.
Here in Massachusetts, generally acknowledged as the nation’s second state to pass a Workers’ compensation statute (signed into law by Governor Eugene H. Foss, July 28, 1911) plans have been underway to mark this auspicious occasion.
On April 7, 2011 Massachusetts will be holding a centennial commemoration that has attracted interest across the country.
The American Bar Associations's (ABA) Section on Tort, Trial and Insurance Section (TIPS) and the Workers’ Compensation and the Section of Labor and Employment Law (LEL) has joined in the planning of this hallmark event, and we, along with the Labor and Employment Law Committee, will be holding The 2001 Midwinter Seminar & Conference in Boston April 7-9, 2011 to coincide with the Massachusetts event.
Before detailing our plans in Massachusetts, it is worthwhile to briefly examine the historical origins of a concept of a no-fault based system of compensating job related injuries and deaths. Who then can lay claim to the first model of a modern Workers’ Compensation system?
Early History of Workers' Compensation
According to Gregory Guyton in A Brief History of Workers’ Compensation , Iowa Orthopedic Journal, 1999, in approximately 2050 B.C., in ancient Sumeria (now Iraq), the law of Ur contained in Nippur Tablet No, 3191 provided for compensation for injury to a worker’s specific body parts. Under ancient Arab law, the loss of a thumb was worth one-half the value of a finger. The loss of a penis however was compensated by the amount of the length lost. The manner of estimating that however, is a fact lost to history. Similar systems existed and are contained in Hammurabi’s Code in 1750 B.C. as well as in ancient Greek, Roman and Chinese law. The common denominator in most if not all of these early schemes was the compensation for “schedules” for specific injuries which determined specific monetary rewards. This concept of an “impairment” (the loss of function of a body part) as distinct from a “disability” (the loss of ability to perform specific tasks remains with us today
Jumping ahead a couple of thousand years.
Stephen Talty in Empire of Blue Water: Captain Morgan’s Great Pirate Army, Crown Publishing, (2007) describes the legendary English privateer Capt. Henry Morgan (of the rum company fame) who in the mid 1600’s had a ship’s constitution that provided for the “recompense and reward each one ought to have that is either wounded or maimed in his body, suffering the loss of any limb, by that voyage.” The loss of a right arm was worth 600 pieces of eight; the left arm:500; right leg :500, left leg: 400 and so forth.
Today’s workers’ compensation laws owe their origin to Prussian Chancellor Otto von Bismarck who in a political move to mitigate social unrest, created the Employer’s Liability Law of 1871. In 1884 he established Workers’ Accident Insurance. This program not only provided monetary benefits but medical and rehabilitation benefits as well. The centerpiece of von Bismarck’s plan was the shielding of employers from civil lawsuits; thus the exclusive remedy doctrine was born.
Centennial Commemoration in Massachusetts
Plans to commemorate this centennial originated with the Massachusetts Academy of Trial Attorneys, which for the past decade hosted an annual Workers’ Compensation Bench/Bar Dinner.
On April 7, 2011, Massachusetts Academy of Trial Attorneys, the Massachusetts Bar Association and the Department of Industrial Accidents will host a centennial commemoration of workers’ compensation, not only in Massachusetts but the country as well.
The focus will be recognition of 100 years of workers’ compensation remembering how this unique area of law originated and developed with a look toward the future and examining forces at work that may change how workplace injuries are compensated. A planning committee comprised of representatives of the claimant and insurer bar, Department of Industrial Accident representatives and other stakeholders in the system has been meeting periodically for almost three years.
While other states are planning similar commemorations, ours in Massachusetts has become a national event attracting groups such as TIPS, Workplace Injury Law and Advocacy Group (WILG), the National Association of Workers’ Compensation Judiciary, among others. WILG is the national non-profit membership organization dedicated to representing the interests of millions of workers and their families who, each year, suffer the consequences of workplace injuries and illnesses. The group acts principally to assist attorneys and non-profit groups in advocating the rights of injured workers through education, communication, research, and information gathering. WILG is one of the sponsors of the Boston event.
Our plans have three major components: a symposium featuring four of the nation’s leading scholars of workers’ compensation as an economic, labor relations and legal concept; a book covering the history of the Massachusetts Industrial Accident Board and a dinner bringing everyone together at the Rose Kennedy Ballroom at the Intercontinental Hotel in Boston. The other bar groups coming to Boston to join us will be holding their own programming, including three mornings of informative continuing legal education program as part of the ABA TIPS/Workers’ Compensation Committee and Labor and Employment Law Committee’s annual midwinter meeting.
The ABA’s College of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers will also hold its annual dinner inducting the 2011 Class of Fellows on Saturday, April 9, 2011.
Symposium
The symposium to be held during the afternoon of April 7, 2011 will be chaired by Prof. Emeritus John Burton, perhaps the leading authority on workers’ compensation, both nationally and internationally. Burton, who has taught economics and labor relations at Rutgers and Cornell Universities, was President Nixon’s appointed Chair of the 1972 National Commission on Workers’ Compensation which resulted in recommendations responsible for the extended period of major workers’ compensation reforms that closed out the last quarter of the 20th century.
Prof. Burton has invited Emily Spieler, Dean of Northeastern University Law School, Dr. Richard Victor, Executive Director of the Workers’ Compensation Research Institute, and Prof. Les Boden of Boston University to join him. Among the subjects to be explored are a discussion of federal and state responsibility for workers’ compensation; the extent of coverage of injuries and disease; the impact of changes in healthcare and what “universal” healthcare may mean for workers’ compensation systems; adequacy and equity of benefits among other topics.
Book on The Massachusetts Industrial Board
Attorney and TIPS member, Joseph Agnelli Jr. of the Keches Law Group, has authored The “Board” A History of the First Century of the Massachusetts Industrial Accident Board and the Workers’ Compensation Act.
Agnelli’s book contains a comprehensive history of workers’ compensation in Massachusetts focusing on how our Industrial Accident Board was originally organized. The book profiles many of the fascinating commissioners, judges and attorneys who help shape the practice of workers’ compensation law at the Department of Industrial Accidents.
The book also features a copy of the Workers’ Compensation Statute signed into law by Governor Eugene H. Foss on July 28, 1911; a copy of the first insurance policy (policy no. 1) issued to the Everett Mills by the Massachusetts Employee’s Insurance Association (M.E.I.A.), the entity that was to become Liberty Mutual Insurance Company.
According to Agnelli’s foreward: “When pondering a suitable way to commemorate such a momentous event, it became clear that something needed to be written about the countless numbers of individuals who have played a role in its long history, to the legislators who were instrumental in its passage of 1911, the members of the first Industrial Accident Board in 1912, the men and women who have served as either Commissioners or Administrative Judges on the Board, those who pioneered the early practice before the Board, and to past and current personalities, this book is a tribute to their efforts in perpetuating the spirit of the Act.”
Symposium Dinner
The Symposium Dinner on Thursday evening, April 7, 2011, will be held in a remarkable venue, a ballroom that can accommodate up to 700 people. Early reservations are a must. To purchase dinner tickets or for further information, contact terri@alanspierce.com OR contact Alan Pierce at 978-745-0914.
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Alan S. Pierce practices in Salem Massachusetts. He has authored and edited several publications including Massachusetts Workers' Compensation Law, Workers' Compensation and the Law and Workers' Compensation: Issues and Answers. Alan currently serves as chair-elect of the American Bar Association workers' compensation section and will be the national chairperson in 2010. He is a charter Fellow in the College of Workers' Compensation Lawyers.
Other Resources
Registration Information: 2011 Midwinter Meeting
Program Agenda: 2011 Midwinter Meeting
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