I get asked about medical marijuana and use in the workplace regularly. I get asked about marijuana more frequently now that Oregon has approved recreational marijuana. I came across an article on it, and thought it was time to post on the issue. Here is a link to a discussion about marijuana (medical or recreational)
[Lee mas...]
Two recent decisions from the state supreme courts in Oklahoma and Florida point out that how an injured worker gets workers’ compensation benefits is as important as how much an employee can receive in benefits for a work injury. In the parlance of constitutional law, the how a worker receives benefits is a termed “due
[Lee mas...]
After our Courts terrible decision in Horton v. OHSU ( CLICK HERE TO READ) I don’t think they could find a way to declare any aspect of Oregon’s Workers Compensation act unconstitutional. In Oklahoma, however, the Supreme Court did just that. Workers’ Compensation is often characterized as the “Grand Bargain”. Workers give up the right
[Lee mas...]
Although this news story is out of Michigan, it could well be here in Oregon. Workers Compensation carriers routinely use doctors (inaccurately referred to as Independent Medical Examiners) to deny claims. This happens everywhere, and certainly here in Oregon. Just this week I saw two clients who had legitimate injuries with objective evidence of the
[Lee mas...]
You may not have heard about the political standoff in Illinois. They haven’t been able to pass a budget for two years. One of the big problems is that the Republican Governor insists on a significant reduction in benefits to injured workers. The unions are opposed as are the Democratic majorities in the Illinois House
[Lee mas...]
When we hear about shootings, bank robberies, or home invasions, we expect the perpetrators to be arrested, tried, and punished appropriately if they are found guilty. When a drunk driver kills an innocent bystander, we treat that death as a criminal act punishable with fines and jail time. When an employer ignores workplace safety and
[Lee mas...]
Too many workers die at work. Interestingly deaths on the job in Oregon are going up. This despite the fact that logging and millwork jobs are going down. Nobody goes to work to die. If you have a chance to go to worker memorial day you should do it. Last year, Governor Brown spoke. It
[Lee mas...]
Regardless of how you plan to vote in the Presidential election this is an excellent letter to the Secretary of Labor from Congress people and Senators including Patty Murray from Washington, Ron Wyden from Oregon and Bernie Sanders from Vermont. It is a good read, and while it is difficult to get anything done in
[Lee mas...]
As I approach 60 I need more medical care. Nurses are usually spending the most face time with me. I very much appreciate them. For the 30 plus years that I have been representing injured workers I have had the pleasure to represent many nurses. They are hardworking and care very much for their patients. They
[Lee mas...]
Anybody who represents injured workers know that some people who get hurt at work lose their job. Sometimes it happens after filing a claim, and sometimes before. It shouldn’t, and it is illegal, but we see it in our work. Sometimes we can help with this, and sometimes we cannot. (Reuters Health) - Although worker
[Lee mas...]