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Numerous states have enacted COVID-19 presumptions for first responders and essential workers, while many others are considering enacting similar legislation. These presumptions allow employees who contract COVID-19 to meet their burden that the contraction arose out of and in the course of employment. Several states, including Minnesota, New Jersey, California and Alaska, have enacted COVID-19 presumption statutes but have not…

An insurance provider claims it has no duty to defend in a construction injury suit that involved two workers who were allegedly injured by collapsing trusses. Artisan and Truckers Casualty Co., filed a complaint May 18 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois against the Burlington Insurance Company, Southern Truss Inc., Douglas Forrest, Gaylon Cruse, individually…

Prescription payments per medical claim decreased by 15% or more in many states, but per claim payments remain high in some areas of the country, according to a report released Tuesday by the Workers Compensation Research Institute. In its study of pharmaceutical costs per workers compensation claim in 28 states, the Cambridge, Massachusetts-based WCRI found that states saw the median…

Workers on construction sites across Indiana can be found nailing plywall from atop scaffolds, scaling roofs or painting newly built homes. But what isn’t evident is whether those workers are part of a shady trend construction industry experts say is a serious concern — payroll tax fraud. Certain contractors in the construction industry will misclassify workers, falsely listing them as…