Monthly Archives:: January 2013

Wisconsin County Loses “Hot Tub” Appeal

Earlier this month, the Wisconsin Court of Appeals ruled that a state agency acted correctly when it granted a Juneau County workers’ compensation claim in 2010. “We will not now second-guess those determinations on appeal,” the court stated in its ruling. The decision came after the county sought to overturn a ruling resulting from a… Read more »

Can I Sue my Employer After Sustaining a Workplace Injury?

The short answer to the question “can I sue my employer” is no. In Minnesota, if a person is injured on the job, their exclusive remedy is the workers compensation system. In other words, you can file a work comp claim, but you cannot bring a civil suit against your employer for any negligence on… Read more »

Social Media’s Role in Fighting Workers’ Comp Fraud

In the ever-expanding world of social media, companies and private investigative units are turning to sites like Facebook and Myspace to fight workers’ compensation fraud, but it raises ethical questions about obtaining information. Social media sites are the most popular way for people to share their ideas and activates in the digital realm, and more… Read more »

Fridley Woman Claims She Was Fired For Smelling Like Cigarette Smoke

A  Minnesota woman claims to have been wrongfully terminated from her job as a medical receptionist at Park Nicollet Health Services because she smelled like cigarette smoke. Stephanie Cannon, a smoker for 18 years, said she smokes nearly a pack a day, but changed her routine after her supervisor told her “we don’t want you… Read more »

Traffic Accidents Leading Cause of High-Severity Work Comp Injuries

In their latest report, the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) found that traffic accidents are the leading cause of high-severity workers’ compensation injuries. The NCCI’s original report from 2006 was updated this month to reflect more current information, and the report revealed some interesting trends. Key findings The frequency of motor vehicle fatalities and… Read more »