Advisory Council Won't Intervene on Bad-Faith Dealings

The South Dakota Workers’ Compensation Advisory Council has decided it does not have the authority to address bad-faith negotiations between claimants’ attorneys and defense lawyers, and will allow carrier attorneys to take the issue directly to the Legislature. Council Chairman Matt Michels, who also is the state’s lieutenant governor, said at the group’s last meeting that lawmakers will convene Jan. 8 and that council members will be kept apprised of any legislation related to workers’ compensation. Sioux Falls claimants’ attorney Dean Nasser said in...