NEW GUIDANCE SUGGESTS THAT NO EMPLOYEE SIGNATURE IS REQUIRED ON DOCUMENT USED TO SUPPORT MISREPRESENTATION DEFENSE

by Baylor Evnen, LLP | Feb 10, 2023 | BLOG, NEBRASKA WORKERS' COMPENSATION, WORKERS’ COMPENSATION

In Rulla v. YRTC Kearney Pay Home, a plaintiff employee sought partial summary judgment to prevent the defendant employer from asserting the misrepresentation affirmative defense under Section 48-148.01. The employee argued that the employer lacked evidence of a written acknowledgment that the employee misrepresented his ability to perform the job’s essential functions. Section 48-148.01(1) states […]

NEBRASKA’S MAXIMUM WEEKLY BENEFIT RATE TO INCREASE TO $1,029.00

by Baylor Evnen, LLP | Nov 16, 2022 | BLOG, NEBRASKA WORKERS' COMPENSATION, WORKERS’ COMPENSATION

For work-related injuries and illnesses that occur on or after January 1, 2023, the new maximum weekly benefit rate under the Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Act will increase to $1,029.00. The Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court announced the change on November 16, 2022. The new rate equates to 100 percent of the state-wide average weekly wage, rounded […]

MAJOR CHANGES IN NEBRASKA FOR EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION AND WORKERS’ COMPENSATION CLAIMS

by Baylor Evnen, LLP | Sep 23, 2022 | BLOG, NEBRASKA WORKERS' COMPENSATION, WORKERS’ COMPENSATION

The Supreme Court of Nebraska recently decided a case, Dutcher v. Nebraska Department of Corrections, in which it was held that an employee who was fired after receiving workers’ compensation benefits could not bring a wrongful termination action under the Nebraska Fair Employment and Practice Act (hereinafter NFEPA). In Dutcher, the employee worked for the […]

NEBRASKA WORKERS’ COMPENSATION COURT REITERATES NOTICE RULES

by Baylor Evnen, LLP | Jun 22, 2022 | BLOG, NEBRASKA WORKERS' COMPENSATION, WORKERS’ COMPENSATION

In Settje v. Walmart Associates, Inc., the Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court provided guidance as to when an employer has sufficient notice of a potentially compensable injury. Pursuant to Section 48-133, an employee is required to give notice of their injury to their employer within a practicable time. The plaintiff argued that he complained generally about […]

SCHOOL EMPLOYEES AND THEIR AVERAGE WEEKLY WAGE FOR TEMPORARY DISABILITY BENEFIT PURPOSES

by Baylor Evnen, LLP | Jun 21, 2022 | BLOG, NEBRASKA WORKERS' COMPENSATION, WORKERS’ COMPENSATION

In Simpson v. Lincoln Public Schools, the Nebraska Court of Appeals provided guidance for how to calculate an employee’s average weekly wage when the employee is an hourly wage earner who only works 9 months out of the year, during the school year. While permanent disability benefits in Nebraska are based on a 40 hour […]

NEBRASKA WORKERS’ COMPENSATION MILEAGE REIMBURSEMENT RATE RISES ON JULY 1, 2022

by Baylor Evnen, LLP | Jun 14, 2022 | BLOG, NEBRASKA WORKERS' COMPENSATION, WORKERS’ COMPENSATION

Effective July 1, 2022, the Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Mileage Reimbursement Rate will rise to 62.5 cents per mile for travel related to medical treatment or participation in an approved vocational rehabilitation plan. This rate has jumped from the previous increase on January 1, 2022, when the rate was increased from 56 cents per mile to […]