Both utilization review physician and MTUS expressly recommended slow tapering of opioid pain medications The WCAB, in a split panel opinion, rescinded a WCJ’s order denying the applicant’s petition for penalty under Labor Code § 5814... Read More
Despite strides in medical care, mortality/morbidity is rising among this important demographic due to drugs, alcohol, suicide, liver disease and cirrhosis According to a study recently released by two Princeton University economists, the broadly observed... Read More
A claimant who states he hurts too much to work can collect PTD benefits, even though an FCE based on "objective" findings concludes he can work in the open labor market. The court of appeals recently affirmed a Commission award of PTD against... Read More
Here’s the fourth batch of advanced postings for July 2014 issue of Cal. Comp. Cases. Lexis.com and Lexis Advance subscribers can link to the case to read the complete headnotes and summaries. © Copyright 2014 LexisNexis. All rights reserved... Read More
Karen C. Yotis, Esq., a Feature Resident Columnist for the LexisNexis Workers’ Compensation eNewsletter , provides insights into workplace issues and the nuts and bolts of the workers’ comp world. How risky would it be if your mailroom... Read More
A Michigan Survey Suggests That Medical Marijuana Patients Are Decreasing Opioid Use to Treat Chronic Pain Two topics that have received a great deal of attention in recent years regarding the medical treatment of chronic pain have been the use and... Read More
An injured worker’s contention that she still suffered significant pain was not sufficient to contradict the Commission’s finding that the worker had nevertheless reached a point of maximum medical improvement, held an Idaho court. In fact... Read More
“Manipulation Under Anesthesia (MUA) is a generic term that describes a procedure or set of procedures designed to improve lost ranges of motion due to infiltration of fibrotic and scar tissue. Fibrosis deposition is part of the normal healing process... Read More
“Spinal manipulation under anesthesia is a controversial procedure for allegedly treating spine pain using osteopathic or chiropractic manipulation techniques while the patient is under general anesthesia or conscious sedation,” explains Stephen... Read More
The California Workers’ Compensation Institute (CWCI) has completed a review of 2011 legislation signed by Governor Brown and flagged 20 workers’ compensation related bills that were enacted this year. They include: AB 55, Gatto: Extension... Read More
It may be an unfortunate reality but narcotics are a common aspect of medical treatment within the workers’ compensation system. As pain is an extremely individual experience, it is difficult if not impossible to assess whether the medications prescribed... Read More
The Supreme Court of Nevada (en banc) recently reversed a decision of a district court judge that had granted declaratory and injunctive relief sought by the state's Self-Insurers Association. The district judge had determined that a Division of Industrial... Read More
Larson's Spotlight on 9/11 Claim, Average Weekly Wage, Pain and Permanent Total Disability, Intentional Tort Claim, and Bad Faith. Larson's surveys the latest case developments that you need to know about. Thomas A. Robinson, the staff writer... Read More
Statutory reform in Missouri requires that objective findings trump conflicting subjective findings. When a doctor concludes claimant can work based on FCE results but claimant state he can't, does the FCE "objective" findings control? ... Read More