Recently the full Oklahoma Senate approved a series of bills ostensibly designed to reduce the cost of doing business in Oklahoma. As states compete to bring in companies amidst a slowly recovering economy, the usual suspects have emerged as siren songs of the "pro-business" community: lower corporate taxes, heavy deregulation, and limitations on workers' compensation claims. These proposals often have ramifications beyond their stated goals. Lowering corporate taxes creates gaps in state … [Read more...]
Emery Reddy Victory for Seattle Teacher: Appeals Court Grants Trial in Seattle School District Employment Discrimination Case
March 22, 2011 by ·
The Washington State Court of Appeals decided yesterday that a 14 year teaching veteran deserves a trial in an Employment Discrimination case. At issue for the jury is whether the Seattle School District should have transferred her to a clean, mold free environment before terminating her. Denise Frisino's troubles with toxic mold began in 2000 when she acquired a respiratory illness in response to chemical toxins present at Hamilton International Middle School. The illness made her … [Read more...]
Big Changes For Workers’ Comp? Washington State Senate Bends To Business Lobby
March 11, 2011 by ·
As the showdown between Governor Scott Walker and Labor activists in Wisconsin continues to rivet the nation, one thing has become clear: Anti-labor forces across the country are using spiraling budget debt to justify attacks on established labor law. Washington State is no different. Last week, the Washington State Senate passed a bill that would radically change they way the state’s workers’ compensation fund would operate. Many Seattle and Washington observers have praised the … [Read more...]
Supreme Court Allows States To Rule On Immigrant Workers’ Comp
March 10, 2011 by ·
The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to a hear a case that would have forced a broader ruling on whether States can deny workers' compensation to undocumented workers injured on the job. According to court documents, Antonio Garcia Rodriguez sustained an injury on February 6, 2004 while doing roofing work for Integrity Contracting at the University of Louisiana-Lafayette. His claim was initially denied by the Louisiana Workers' Compensation Corporation because LWCC claimed Integrity had … [Read more...]
