Concurrent Employment – Limiting and Litigating Average Weekly Wage

Claimants may have more than one job at the time of their work incident. Pursuant to New York Workers’ Compensation Law Section 14(6), the average weekly wage can be increased if the claimant has two or more jobs at the time of the work injury. Therefore, this issue of concurrent employment is raised by a claimant, and not a carrier, because it can mean more indemnity benefits to the claimant. When concurrent employment is raised, the claimant should provide written documentary proof of concurrent employment, …

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One Missing IME, Too Many

I recently attended a hearing that was scheduled pursuant to claimant’s RFA-1, requesting reinstatement of awards. You’re probably wondering, why were awards suspended in the first place? Because claimant had missed three scheduled independent medical examinations (IMEs)! She also did not have current medical evidence of a further causally related disability at the last hearing. The prior notice of decision read wonderfully, “suspension is effective until such time that the claimant produces up to date evidence of disability and indicates a willingness to attend the …

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Opioid Epidemic: Let the Weaning Begin

In the workers’ compensation world, the Board has acknowledged opioid addiction as “a major public health crisis” that “deeply affects” New York’s injured workers. So it comes as no surprise that in that same announcement, the Board re-asserted its opinion that long-term opioid use is rarely recommended and should be done in restricted circumstances with much oversight.

While some claimants’ counsels like to argue that opioid use is not an issue that should be decided upon by a judge and some judge’s may shy away …

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