Worker's Compensation

Toronto — Severe pain is “the main factor associated with opioid use after a work-related injury,” regardless of the employee’s return-to-work timeline, a recent study out of Canada suggests.

Melbourne, Australia — Cases of silicosis among workers in Australia’s stone countertop industry spiked over a recent eight-year period, according to researchers from Monash University.

Washington — The Department of Labor has revised the Black Lung Benefits Act to require self-insured coal mine operators to “post adequate security for their benefit liabilities.”

Waltham, MA — The number of heat-related illnesses “increases significantly” once the temperature rises above 80° F, results of a recent analysis from the Workers Compensation Research Institute show.

Stevens Point, WI — In the retail and wholesale industry, employees in their first year on the job account for more than a third of all work-related injuries, a recent analysis shows.

Columbus, OH — The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation is making available $30 million in funding for research and development of personal protective equipment and technology innovations.

Toronto — Injured workers, particularly those with physically demanding jobs, are more likely to visit an ER for an opioid-related incident, results of a pair of studies out of Canada suggest.

Boca Raton, FL — “Mental injuries” (such as post-traumatic stress disorder), cannabis and independent contractors were among the top workers’ compensation-related issues that state legislatures focused on this year, a new report shows.

Toronto — Workers with “precarious” jobs – which can include temporary contracts, part-time hours, irregular schedules and low wages – face an elevated risk of a work-related injury and illness, results of two recent studies out of Canada show.

Albany, NY — People who continue to experience COVID-19 symptoms at least three months after contracting the virus have what’s known as “long COVID.”