WHO NEEDS AN ESTATE PLAN? (SPOILER ALERT: IT’S EVERYONE!)

by Baylor Evnen, LLP | Oct 13, 2023 | BLOG, TRUSTS & ESTATES

The importance of having an estate plan cannot be understated. The common misconception that estate planning is just for the ultra-wealthy or elderly severely underestimates the value of having a plan in place to ensure individuals’ wishes are met upon their incapacitation or passing, regardless of income level or age. Estate planning accomplishes several different […]

COURT OF APPEALS AFFIRMS DISMISSAL OF CLAIM FOR INADEQUATE NOTICE

by Baylor Evnen, LLP | Oct 3, 2023 | BLOG, NEBRASKA WORKERS' COMPENSATION, WORKERS’ COMPENSATION

The Nebraska Court of Appeals, in Prince v. Walmart Assocs., No. A-23-044 (Neb. Ct. App. Sep. 26, 2023), affirmed a Workers’ Compensation Court decision to dismiss a claim on the basis that, in reporting the injury two months late, the employee failed to provide timely notice of the injury to her employer. The employee alleged […]

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR PUBLISHES PROPOSED OVERTIME RULE

by Baylor Evnen, LLP | Sep 13, 2023 | BLOG, EMPLOYMENT, FIRM NEWS

On September 8, 2023, the Department of Labor (“DOL”) published a proposed rule that would increase salary thresholds under the Fair Labor Standards Act’s (“FLSA”) overtime pay and minimum wage requirements. Under the FLSA’s “white collar” exemption, an employee is exempt from overtime pay and minimum wage requirements if that employee: (1) performs certain exempt […]

ISSUE PRECLUSION DOES NOT BAR CLAIMS FOR PERMANENT INJURY IN REVIEW-REOPENING PROCEEDINGS IN IOWA

by Baylor Evnen, LLP | Sep 12, 2023 | BLOG, IOWA WORKERS' COMPENSATION, WORKERS’ COMPENSATION

In Green v. North Central Iowa Regional Solid Waste Authority, the Iowa Supreme Court affirmed that the principle of issue preclusion does not bar a worker’s claim for permanent injury in a review-reopening proceeding. Section 86.14(2) permits the Iowa Workers’ Compensation Commissioner to “reopen an award for payments or agreement for settlement … [to inquire] […]

WAITING TO DISTINGUISH WORKPLACE INJURY FROM PRIOR PAIN MAY NOT AMOUNT TO UNTIMELY NOTICE

by Baylor Evnen, LLP | Sep 1, 2023 | BLOG, NEBRASKA WORKERS' COMPENSATION, WORKERS’ COMPENSATION

In Candia v. Orchard Park Assisted Living, the Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court held that waiting 2-3 weeks to give notice was sufficient when that is how long it took for the employee to determine that the workplace incident was the cause of her pain as opposed to her pre-existing back problems. In Candia, an employee […]

INTOXICATION DEFENSE DOES NOT REQUIRE PROCEDURES REQUIRED FOR SOME OTHER EMPLOYEE DRUG TESTS

by Baylor Evnen, LLP | Aug 31, 2023 | BLOG, IOWA WORKERS' COMPENSATION, WORKERS’ COMPENSATION

In Davis v. Gordon Food Serv., Inc., the Iowa District Court in Polk County affirmed the Workers’ Compensation Commissioner’s ruling that evidence to support the intoxication defense under Section 85.16 does not need to be obtained in accordance with the rules and procedures under Section 730.5(7).  See Iowa Code § 85.16; see also Iowa Code […]