Supreme Court Clarifies 'Rare Case' Exception to Opioid Treatment Rules

The Minnesota Supreme Court ruled that a worker’s medication for intractable pain was not compensable as a “rare case” exception to the state’s long-term opioid treatment guidelines. Case: Johnson v. Darchuks Fabrications Inc., No. A20-0963, 08/18/2021, published. Facts and procedural history: William Johnson worked for Darchuks Fabrications Inc. He injured his ankle while at work in September 2002. Johnson’s ankle was placed in a walking boot. He experienced considerable pain and began to show signs of complex regional pain syndrome. The condition is...