Minnesota Supreme Court Addresses Issue of “Double Recovery” of Short-Term Disability and Workers’ Compensation Benefits

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The Minnesota Supreme Court recently issued a decision that impacts an employee’s claim for temporary total disability (TTD) benefits under the Minnesota Workers’ Compensation Act and whether those benefits can be offset by benefits paid to the employee for the same period of disability under the employer’s self-funded, self-administered, short-term disability (STD) plan. Upholding the […]

Handling Claims with Out-of-State Injuries

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Are injuries occurring to an employee, hired in Georgia, living in Georgia, while in Georgia, compensable if he or she receives work orders from Minnesota? Your gut instinct may be telling you, “no, of course not”, but the Minnesota Workers’ Compensation Court of Appeals (WCCA), just said “yes.” At, least, in the case of Hinkle […]

Medical Malpractice Cap Unconstitutional…For Now

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An appellate court ruled that Wisconsin’s $750,000 cap on non-economic damages in medical malpractice claims is unconstitutional. This decision stemmed from a case in which a Wisconsin district court ruled that a woman, who lost all four limbs, should collect an award of $16.5 million to her and her husband that included compensation for pain […]

Workers’ Compensation Update: Minnesota Supreme Court Addresses Idiopathic Injury Defense

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In much anticipated decisions, the Minnesota Supreme Court recently addressed the idiopathic injury defense in Hohlt v. University of Minnesota and Kubis v. Community Memorial Hospital Association.  The Hohlt decision came out in favor of the employee while the Kubis decision was a defense victory.  The idiopathic injury defense – injuries that are unique to the employee […]

Legislative Changes to Workers’ Compensation Statute

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The Minnesota legislature adjourned and passed several changes to the workers’ compensation statute. The highlights include: Requiring insurers, hospitals, and healthcare clearing houses to designate a contact person to answer inquires related to the submission or payment of medical bills by November 1, 2017 (Minn. Stat. §176.135 subd. 9). Adjustments to the Medicare DRG program […]