Supreme Court Denies Additional Narcotic Pain Meds for Injured Worker

A divided West Virginia Supreme Court ruled that a worker was not entitled to additional narcotic pain medication to treat his injuries from an old slip and fall. Case: Blankenship v. West Virginia Office of Insurance Commissioner, No. 19-0014, 02/13/2020, published. Facts and procedural history: James R. Blankenship slipped and fell at work in August 1994. He complained of pain and spasms in the middle part of his back. Although he received conservative treatment, his pain complaints continued and he never returned to gainful employment. In 1999, Blankenship began seeing Dr. Samuel J...