We are happy to report that following years of citations over blocked safety exits and other unsafe conditions in Dollar Tree and Family Dollar stores across the country, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced last week a corporate-wide settlement that calls for the company to improve conditions and pay $1.35 million in penalties. Dollar Tree Inc., which owns …
The Georgia Court of Appeals recently handed down a favorable ruling for injured workers’. In City of Atlanta, et. al. v. Sebastian, the Court of Appeals found that the employer/insurer’s suspension of weekly income benefits based upon a full duty release of a referral physician, rather than the “authorized treating physician” was invalid. The Court affirmed the lower decisions of the …
Opioids are a class of drugs that include prescription pain medication such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine and morphine. While opioids can be effective in managing pain, they also come with the risk of dependence, addiction, and other adverse effects. In the past, doctors in Georgia, like in many other states, commonly prescribed opioids to injured workers to manage their pain. …
We recently attended a seminar where pain specialist, Dr. Randy Rizor, gave an informative talk on failed back surgery cases. Dr. Rizor spoke on the causes of back surgery as well as the need for post-operative treatment. In the area of workers’ compensation, spine surgery cases are the most expensive. There are about 1,000,000 spine surgeries performed each year. About …
Effective July 1, 2022, workers’ compensation maximum payouts will increase. The maximum weekly compensation rate for temporary total disability benefits (TTD) will increase from $675.00 per week to $725.00 per week for injuries on or after July 1, 2022. The maximum rate for temporary partial disability benefits (TPD) will increase from $450 per week to $483.00 per week for injuries …
