2021 WORKERS’ COMPENSATION LEGISLATION

by Baylor Evnen, LLP | Mar 2, 2021 | BLOG, NEBRASKA WORKERS' COMPENSATION, WORKERS’ COMPENSATION

As of yesterday, every legislative bill addressing workers’ compensation has now been heard in committee. Every bill remains in committee and no action has been taken on them, except LB 407, which was advanced to General File on 2/11/21. See below for a summary of each bill and a report on the testimony given at […]

FACTORS FOR COMMUTATION OF COMPENSATION AWARDS REVISITED

by Baylor Evnen, LLP | Feb 12, 2021 | BLOG, IOWA WORKERS' COMPENSATION, WORKERS’ COMPENSATION

The Iowa Court of Appeals recently affirmed a Commissioner’s ruling to grant an employee’s request to have his workers’ compensation benefits partially commuted in United Fire v. Hessenius. In Hessenius, the employer argued against commutation on the basis that the employee failed to articulate how he planned to make up the lost revenue each week […]

MEDICAL MARIJUANA AND WORKERS’ COMPENSATION

by Baylor Evnen, LLP | Feb 5, 2021 | BLOG, IOWA WORKERS' COMPENSATION, WORKERS’ COMPENSATION

In recent years and months, Iowa has expanded the availability of medical marijuana and its derivative products within the State.  Iowa Code §124E.26. Marijuana is still illegal in Iowa and the State still has very strict rules regarding how the substance can be used for medical treatment. Regardless, the trend in the State has been […]

COVID-19: IOWA COMMISSIONER JOSEPH CORTESE POSTPONES IN-PERSON HEARINGS UNTIL JUNE 18, 2021

by Baylor Evnen, LLP | Feb 5, 2021 | BLOG, IOWA WORKERS' COMPENSATION, WORKERS’ COMPENSATION

On February 2, 2021, the Workers’ Compensation Commissioner Joseph Cortese extended the postponement of in-person hearings by the Commission from March 19, 2021, to June 18, 2021. For those of our avid followers who are keeping track, this is the sixth continuation of the suspension of in-person hearings since March 13, 2020, when the pandemic […]

2021 CHANGES IN NEBRASKA MILEAGE REIMBURSEMENT RATE AND WEEKLY INCOME BENEFIT RATES

by Baylor Evnen, LLP | Jan 7, 2021 | BLOG, WORKERS’ COMPENSATION

Recently, the Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court adopted new mileage reimbursement rates.  Effective January 1, 2021 the mileage reimbursement rate will become $.56 per mile for travel to seek related medical treatment or while participating in a vocational rehabilitation plan. Further, the maximum weekly indemnity benefit has increased to $914.00 for injuries occurring on or after […]

COURT HALTS ENFORCEMENT OF EXECUTIVE ORDER 13950 ON CONTRACTOR DIVERSITY TRAINING

by Baylor Evnen, LLP | Dec 29, 2020 | BLOG, EMPLOYMENT

On December 23, 2020, a federal district court issued a nationwide preliminary injunction stopping the federal government from enforcing Executive Order (EO) 13950. Santa Cruz Lesbian and Gay Cmty. Ctr., et al. v. Trump, No. 5:20-cv-07741-BLF (N.D. Cal. Dec. 23, 2020). The EO, considered controversial since its implementation in September 2020, prohibits federal contractors and […]