No Penalties for Worker for Failing to Take His Opiate Medication

A New York appellate court ruled that an injured worker did not forfeit his entitlement to wage-replacement benefits by lying about his failure to take his prescribed opiate medication. Case: Matter of Harper v. Public Energy Fuel Service, No. 519437, 04/30/2015, published. Facts: Dan Harper worked for Public Energy Fuel Service Inc. in Hicksville, New York, and received permanent total disability workers' comp benefits after suffering a back injury at work in 2002. His doctor prescribed him Kadian, an opiate drug, and Public Energy then began requiring him to undergo urine drug tests t...