Showing 13 posts by Alicia W. Birach.
Are Death Benefits Owed When an Employee Dies after Contracting the Coronavirus?
The Context
There have been over 40,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Michigan. This figure includes over 4,000 deaths. We are currently averaging about 1,000 new cases and 100 new deaths per day. Fortunately, the curve is flattening and some areas of the state have seen decreases. Read More ›
Categories: COVID-19 and Workers' Compensation, Employee Benefits, Workers' Compensation
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Impact of Executive Orders on Reduction and Termination of Benefits
Jack Nolish, the recently appointed Director of the Michigan Workers' Disability Compensation Agency, issued a directive this week limiting employers' ability to terminate or reduce benefits during the period the Stay Home, Stay Safe Executive Order (EO 2020-21) and Executive Order 2020-20 are in effect. To read more on this issue in Alicia Birach’s article, Impact of Executive Orders on Reduction and Termination of Benefits, can be found here.
Categories: COVID-19 and Workers' Compensation, Employee Benefits
Is an Employee Injured before December 19, 2011 Obligated to look for Work?
The Supreme Court of Michigan recently issued a decision addressing a plaintiff’s obligation to make a good faith job search where the injury arose prior to the 2011 amendments to the Worker’s Disability Compensation Act. Bell v. City of Saginaw. Plaintiff Bell was injured in the course of his employment on October 16, 2011. Benefits were voluntarily paid from the date of injury until his return to work. He subsequently went back off when he failed his fitness for duty physical. Workers’ compensation benefits were not reinstated and plaintiff filed suit. To read more about this case and its implications, see full article here.
Categories: Case Law Updates, Workers' Compensation