Alabama Workers’ Comp Blawg

"Designed to keep readers up to date on legislation, case law, and cutting edge issues regarding workers' compensation in Alabama."

Author: Mike Fish a founding member of Fish Nelson in Birmingham, Ala., and chair-elect of the ABA's Workers' Compensation and Employers' Liability Law Committee.

Blawg Related Categories: Labor & Employment • States • Alabama • Solo / Small Firm • Workers Compensation

Recent Posts from Alabama Workers’ Comp Blawg

2009 MILEAGE REIMBURSEMENT RATE
2009 Alabama Standard Mileage Reimbursement Rate:Effective January 1, 2009, the standard mileage reimbursement rate for Alabama was reduced to 55 cents per mile.
TRIAL COURT'S DECISION TO CIRCUMVENT SCHEDULE FOR KNEE INJURY REVERSED
Solomon Motor Company v. Earnest Dean:In this opinion released on December 19, 2008, the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals considered a trial courts decision to sidestep the schedule set forth in 25-5-57(a)(3)a and award permanent…
TRIAL COURT'S FINDING OF OCCUPATIONAL DISEASE IS REVERSED
Greater Mobile Chrysler-Jeep, Inc. v. Charles Atterberry:In this opinion released on December 19, 2008, the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals considered an employees claim of occupational disease. At trial, the employee presented evidence that his…
CMS SUED OVER MEMORANDUM OPINION
BACKGROUND: On July 11, 2005, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released its sixth policy memorandum with answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) on Workers Compensation Medicare Set-Aside Arrangements. The fifteen new FAQs...
DOUBLE INDEMNITY ASSESSED AGAINST EMPLOYER
MasterBrand Cabinets, Inc., f/k/a NHB Industries, Inc. v. Nacola Ruggs:In this opinion released on December 12, 2008, the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals considered whether the trial court properly enforced the double penalty provision set…
CIRCUMVENTING THE SCHEDULE
Child Day Care Association v. Victoria Christesen:In this opinion released on December 12, 2008, the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals upheld the trial courts decision not to apply the 25-5-57(a)(3) schedule to a leg injury…
REFUSAL OF PSYCHOLOGICAL AND PSYCHIATRIC TREATMENT
Ex parte Saad's Healthcare Services, Inc.In this opinion released on December 5, 2008, the Alabama Supreme Court held that the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals was correct in determining that an employee was not disqualified…
ALABAMA WORKERS' COMPENSATION FRAUD UNIT
The Alabama unemployment rate is higher than it has been in five years. In October it rose to 5.6%. In Chambers County it has reached a staggering 14.3% with Wilcox, Bullock, Lowndes and Dallas counties…
ATTORNEY GENERAL SUCCESSFULLY PROSECUTES WORKERS' COMPENSATION FRAUD
On November 18, 2008, the Montgomery Advertiser reported that the Attorney Generals office successfully prosecuted an Anniston woman for workers compensation fraud. Apparently, the woman, Charlene Trapp Smith, 59, misrepresented to an insurance provider...
ABA PRESIDENT DECRIES EXPENSIVE 2008 STATE JUDICIAL RACES
With over $5 million dollars spent towards the only open seat on the Alabama Supreme Court, our state reportedly had the most expensive high court race this year. As a result of the money spent…