The workers’ compensation (WC) system provides the perfect prescription for opioid addiction. There are three types of injured workers that fall into this lair: active addicts, recovered addicts who relapse after taking medications following a work injury, and the neophyte who becomes addicted following their work injury. Thus, the system, although well-intentioned, creates and perpetuates…
2017 saw more legislative action related to workers’ compensation than Colorado has seen for the past few years. Three bills were introduced in the Colorado Legislature and all three passed. One of the newly enacted bills, HB 17-1229, was enacted on June 5, 2017, with an effective date of July 1, 2018 (subject to exception)[1]. …
Last year, the Department of Labor instituted a new overtime rule under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), which required employers to pay a little more than $47,000 annually to qualify under the white-collar exemptions. This rule had previously been in limbo given that a Texas Federal District Court judge prevented its enforcement last Thanksgiving. …
An incident takes place within the course and scope of claimant’s employment. Claimant is confirmed to have sustained an injury but does not miss any time from work. No permanent impairment is anticipated. What the adjuster has is characterized as what most of us refer to as a “med-only claim.” Throughout the course of the…
One of the questions I hear frequently about the Colorado workers’ compensation system from risk managers, insurance adjusters, and even some medical professionals is: “Why does Colorado still use the AMA Guides Third Edition, Revised, when calculating impairment?” In other words, why do Division Level II accredited physicians providing impairment ratings to injured workers use…
BACKGROUND There has been growing governmental concern in the State of Colorado over uninsured employers. Changes to the Workers’ Compensation Act in 2005 created stiffer fines for employers who fail to comply with mandated coverage for workers’ compensation benefits. The Division of Workers’ Compensation Director is required to impose a fine of $250 per day…
Why is it important to know if the person working for you is an employee or an independent contractor? Because the answer determines if he or she must be covered by your workers’ compensation insurance policy. An incorrect guess exposes you to substantial penalties under Colorado’s Workers’ Compensation Act. A worker’s status as an “employee”…
The Department of Labor’s (“DOL”) new overtime rules take effect December 1, 2016, and employers should be reviewing and modifying their compensation and payroll practices in response. Here is a link to the new regulations adopted by the Department of Labor: http://webapps.dol.gov/FederalRegister/PdfDisplay.aspx?DocId=28355 As part of this preparation, employers must consider whether and how any changes to…
BACKGROUND In October 2015, National Public Radio (NPR) and ProPublica did a report over the differences between the states workers’ compensation laws. The report found significant differences in the amount and type of benefits in each states workers’ compensation system. The report focused heavily on recent attempts by states to allow employers to opt-out of…
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires many employers with ten or more employees to keep a record of serious work related injuries and illnesses (certain low risk industries are exempted). Employers must report any worker fatality within 8 hours and any amputation, loss of an eye, or hospitalization of any worker within 24…
The Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, through its Medicaid program, is responsible for collection of outstanding liens for the state. This department is in charge of disbursement of state funds to indigent citizens in need of medical benefits. Oftentimes, a claimant will pursue medical benefits through the department if they qualify. This…
The growing epidemic of chronic opioid use and addiction, and its consequences, permeates the American medical and legal landscape. Since the spike in the use of ubiquitous pain medications in the late 1990s, there has been little actual oversight in the health care industry to regulate the prescription of these highly addicting drugs. In March…