How does a one legged black girl from San Diego become a competitive skier and Olympic Medalist? Apparently someone created a picture of success to guide her. Bonnie St. John was the luncheon keynote at the RIMS 2014 convention Monday here in Denver, CO. She was the first one legged African American woman ever to…
In Denver I've Seen the Future, and It's Kinda Stoned
I had an entertaining first 24 hours in Denver while waiting for RIMS 2014 to officially kick off. My wife and I arrived in the mile high city around noon on Saturday, and after settling in to our hotel, took a walk along the 16th Street Mall. For those unaware, the mall is a mile…
When Your Murder Tattoo Spells Trouble, and Your Dickey Just Won't Do
We see a lot here in workers’ comp. Horrific accidents. Minor boo-boos. Silly mistakes. Fraudulent claims and more. Every once in a while, however, we encounter a story that tells us we’re not alone out there; that the weird, the wild and the wacky are not just limited to our little slice of paradise. A…
OOOOOOOOklahoma, Where Reforms are Causing So Much Pain
Last Thursday the Oklahoma Supreme Court unanimously ruled that a state workers compensation commission established by major reforms last year does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate claims for injuries occurring prior to the commission’s effective date. The decision means that Oklahoma may be running two distinct workers compensation systems for many years to come. It…
Component Medicine: The Medical Team Will See You Now
It was an unmistakable conclusion from the 8 hour Medical Institute program that was part of the IAIABC 2014 Forum two weeks ago. Across multiple sessions ranging from Opioid abuse to insurance reform; physician dispensing to medical marijuana, one thing was clear. Medicine in this country is headed for an abrupt change, and the way…
It Takes a Legal Village When Massage Parlors Rub Us the Wrong Way
A recent police action resulting in workers’ compensation citations in Azusa, California shows us that, when it comes to investigating massage parlors, it truly takes a legal village. The police department in Azusa had apparently received complaints that some of the massage parlors within its jurisdiction were offering services above and beyond the traditional massage,…
New York Cop on Workers' Comp Gets Buffalo Wings Clipped
Yesterday it was announced that former Buffalo, NY police officer Patrick S. O'Mara, 52, pleaded guilty to wire fraud before Chief U.S. District Judge William M. Skretny. The charge, related to claims made regarding a workers’ compensation case, carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both. Meanwhile, comments he…
Return to Work 1, Return to Function 0
It was a lively and bruising discussion, but one well worth having. It occurred during a 3 hour session of the Disability Management and Return to Work Committee at last week's IAIABC forum, and the topic turned to a paper the committee hopes to complete this year. This paper is intended to lay the foundation…
Resume Writing as a Return to Work Tool – Thinking Outside the Box
I attended a presentation Thursday that was part of the Disability Management and Return to Work Committee presentation at the IAIABC. It was held in Couer d'Alene, ID as part of the Forum 2014 event held by the regulators organization. Vickie Kennedy, Assistant Director for Insurance Services for Washington State’s Department of Labor and…
There is a Potato in My Conference Bag
When it comes to conference Tchotchke, the International Association of Industrial Accident Boards and Commissions (IAIABC) has ratcheted up the standards this week at their 2014 Spring Forum in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Regular conference attendees will be very familiar with the “conference bag”; that item you get at check in containing a couple dead trees…