In a case I brought to the Michigan Supreme Court on application from a Court of Appeals denial and Michigan Compensation Appellate Commission decision, the Court agrees with my argument the Commission did not address whether the claimant's wage loss was attributable to her work-related injury, or rather due to her acceptance of a retirement [...]
Category: Labor and Employment Law
Michigan Supreme Court Reverses Court of Appeals Decision Forcing Workers Compensation Agencies to Remain Open at Certain Locations
The Michigan Supreme Court has reversed the Court of Appeals decision that held the Director of the Michigan Administrative Hearing System and the Director of the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs were required to maintain local offices for litigation of Workers' Compensation Agency hearings. Â Read the opinion here: Younkin v. Zimmer In September 2012, [...]
Insurers and Businesses Should Always Consider What Options are Available for Insurance Coverage and Recovery of Insurance Assets When Facing a Dispute, Claim or Lawsuit
One of the most important ways insurance companies and businesses can manage their assets and control their liability is to think creatively about insurance and insuring agreements in managing their day-to-day business operations. Disputes, claims, and yes, lawsuits often arise in the ordinary course of thriving and vibrant businesses.  This is a natural consequence of [...]
Special Appellate Counsel for Emergency Appeals in State and Federal Court of Appeals and Supreme Court
It is the eve of trial.  The trial court judge, bent on forcing you into an unsavory settlement with opposing counsel, has granted opposing counsel’s motion in limine to exclude your proposed evidence from the jury’s consideration.  This is a key part of your client’s case and without it your client may be facing 100 [...]
Insurance Carrier Covering Worker’s Initial Injury Wage-Loss Benefits May Apportion Liability for Wage-Loss Benefits With Insurance Carrier Covering Worker’s Second Disabling Injury Suffered While the Employee was Performing “Reasonable Employment” Work
In a published opinion after a remand order from the Michigan Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals has ruled that under the Workers' Disability Compensation Act (WDCA), an insurance carrier responsible for paying worker's compensation (wage-loss benefits) for an employee's initial disabling injury, may apportion its liability for wage-loss benefits with the insurance carrier covering [...]