CO - Statutory Cap Applies to Independent Contractor's Ability to Recover Damages for Work Injury
09/04/2026 | 0
The Colorado Court of Appeals ruled that an independent contractor who suffered an on-the-job injury must have any recovery capped at $15,000.
Case: Williams v. Blanca Forestry Products Inc., No. 25CA1444, 08/27/2026, unpublished.
Facts: Norman Williams owns a welding and fabrication business as a sole proprietor.
Blanca Forestry Products Inc. hired Williams as an independent contractor to either build a new staircase outside of a sawmill or to repurpose a steel staircase located inside the sawmill and move it outside.
While onsite at the sawmill, Williams fell from the staircase and
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The Idaho Supreme Court said there was no evidence to support the Industrial Commission's finding that a worker's requested 34% permanent partial disability rating was "overinflated" or its decision to substitute a 20% rating instead.
Nellie M. Whiteley, a certified nurse assistant at Life Care Centers of America's Bridgeview Estates nursing facility, slipped on ice and fell in the parking lot in November.
Her treating physician performed three surgeries on her ankle, but she continued to experience pain.
In December 2021, she assumed her current role as ac
The board of directors for Oregon workers' compensation carrier SAIF declared a $50 million dividend for policyholders whose terms ended in 2025.
SAIF said in a statement this is its 17th consecutive dividend and the 29th dividend issued since 1990.
"This year's dividend was supported in part by favorable reserve development recognized in 2025, reflecting a continued decline in claim frequency, among other factors," the carrier said. "At the same time, SAIF considered ongoing pressures from rising medical costs, investment uncertainty, and future capital needs.&q
A Louisiana appellate court upheld an award of benefits, fees and penalties for a worker injured in a ladder accident.
Case: Miranda v. Ryder Services Corp., No. 2025 CA 1291, 08/25/2026, published.
Facts: Lajoal Miranda worked for Ryder Truck Rental Inc. as a technician. He allegedly suffered injuries on April 22, 2024, when he lost his balance while standing on a ladder and braced himself with his right arm.
According to Miranda, the accident happened near the end of his shift, and he reported it to his supervisor a few minutes after it happened. Miranda left work at the end of his shift
Jacksonville, FL – July 10, 2026 – PhysNet welcomes Michelle Despres, PT, EMBA as Chief Operating Officer, strengthening its leadership team as the company enters its next stage of national growth.
A licensed physical therapist and seasoned healthcare executive, Michelle brings a strong blend of clinical insight, operational leadership, and people-centered strategy. S
We have all had experience with primary treating physicians who operate a little bit on the lazy side with respect to their PR-2 reporting.
Oftentimes, this laziness takes the form of “cut-and-paste” reporting where it’s difficult to decipher what the details are from this latest visit, versus those of prior visits. Other times, there are no changes to the report at all other than a recommendation to refill prescription medications. But what about when the PR-2 report fails to address something significant, specifically work status and work restrictions?
Under Labor Cod
The Illinois Appellate Court upheld a determination that an insurance carrier owed no coverage to an employer for a worker’s fatal accident at a construction site.
Case: Mt. Hawley Insurance Co. v. Stone Development Group Inc., No. 1-25-0465, 08/27/2027, unpublished.
Facts and procedural history: According to a complained filed by the estate of Ramiro Godinez, Godinez was an “invitee” on a construction site in Waukegan in September 2017.
He was allegedly directed to the third floor of the building to perform certain carpentry work. While he was unloading tools and material
The Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania upheld the expansion of a worker’s claim to include complex regional pain syndrome, but not a lumbar spine condition.
Case: Prism Contractors Inc. v. Attwood (WCAB), No. 1484 C.D. 2024, 08/28/2026, unpublished.
Facts: Roger Attwood worked for Prism Contractors Inc. as a roofer and mason. He lost his footing while transitioning between roof pitches on a residential jobsite in March 2020.
Prism accepted liability for a left lower-leg strain/tear.
Over time, Attwood developed persistent symptoms including temperature asymmetry, skin color changes,
The Maryland Appellate Court ruled that a professional football player who has not physically completed any of his job duties in Maryland may still be a covered by the state comp system if he expected to be “regularly employed” within the state.
Curtis Brooks played as a defensive tackle for the University of Cincinnati football team until 2021. He was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the sixth of seven rounds of the 2022 National Football League draft.
He moved to the Tennessee Titans in January 2023, but was cut from the squad during preseason. Brooks then joined the Washi
The Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania ruled that a worker’s challenge to a judge’s decision not to recuse herself was not immediately appealable.
Case: Lonjuin v. Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania (WCAB), No. 334 C.D. 2025, 08/25/2026, unpublished.
Facts: Donnette Lonjuin worked for the Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania. She injured her left shoulder at work in January 2023.
Procedural history: A workers’ compensation judge granted Lonjuin indemnity and medical benefits related to the injury.
The university appealed, and the Workers’ Compensation
West Virginia’s Intermediate Court of Appeals upheld an award of benefits to a hospital employee for her injury from a fall as she was walking into her workplace.
Case: West Virginia United Health System Inc. v. Best, No. 26-ICA-63, 08/27/2026, published.
Facts: Tina Best worked for the West Virginia United Health System Inc. She filed a workers’ compensation claim asserting she had injured her left knee when she fell while walking into work at Potomac Valley Hospital in September 2025.
Best went to the emergency department, where she was diagnosed with an occupational injury to
A New York appellate court upheld the denial of a worker’s request for reconsideration or full board review of the denial of his claim for a shoulder injury.
Case: Matter of Langworthy v. C. Mckenna Property Management LLC, No. CV-25-1288, 08/27/2026, published.
Facts and procedural history: Lonnie Langworthy worked for C. Mckenna Property Management LLC. He filed a workers’ compensation claim alleging he had injured his left shoulder in a fall at work.
A workers’ compensation judge denied the claim and the Workers' Compensation Board affirmed.
Langworthy then applied
The New York State Workers' Compensation Board is moving forward with an overhaul of medical fee schedules that haven't been revised in more than six years.
While the pending updates will not include adjustments for inflation or cost-of-living increases, the board said in a notice published Wednesday in the New York State Register that it would take a broader look at fee structures as part its plans to update fee schedules more frequently in the future.
The board in January proposed updates to the Official New York Workers' Compensation Medical Fee Schedule; the Official New York
The classification code for storage warehouse work remains one of the most frequently reclassified codes, according to the National Council on Compensation Insurance.
NCCI reported code 8292 — "storage warehouse NOC" — returned to the top position on its list of the Top 10 reclassified codes in 2025 after ranking second last year. The most frequently assigned replacement code is 8018 — "store-wholesale-NOC."
Inspection data indicates operations that initially appear to be storage companies often support a broader mercantile business. Work being performed
The Connecticut Appellate Court upheld the denial of a certified nursing assistant’s claims, as her alleged injuries did not constitute an occupational disease and were therefore time-barred.
Case: Callahan v. iCare Health Management LLC, No. AC 48286, 08/25/2026, published.
Facts and procedural history: Tachica Callahan worked for iCare Health Management LLC as a certified nursing assistant. She suffered injuries at work in June 2017 from a “lifting incident.”
Callahan filed a workers’ compensation claim in October 2017, which was settled in November 2019.
Between
The Virginia Court of Appeals ruled that a worker was entitled to repair of his leg prosthesis that was damaged in an on-the-job accident, but he was not entitled to a replacement.
Case: Hill v. Regal Entertainment, No. 0962-25-4, 08/25/2026, unpublished.
Facts: Brien Hill worked at a movie theater for Regal Entertainment. He slipped at work in June 2023 and his leg prosthesis struck a rack, causing damage.
Hill left work two hours early that day, but he did not otherwise miss any time from work.
He later went to see Dr. Marc Chodos who completed a referral for the repair of his pros