Can I Hire a Lawyer After I Get My PPD Rating?   Yes, you may.  Just make sure that you are getting experienced guidance and good value for paying an attorney fee at this late stage of the claim, and be aware that attorneys’ fees will differ from one attorney to the next on such cases.  I often get phone calls from clients wanting to know whether the percentage offered by the insurer is fair after the rating exam, and whether the amount offered is correct.  I will review those rating evaluations free of charge to an injured worker in Nevada who faxes me...

  Test your knowledge of permanent partial disability awards on Nevada workers' compensation claims with the following quiz.  I will post the answers next week with explanations. Have fun!  Quiz Time-  How Much Do You Know About PPD’s in Nevada? True  or  False?          Even if an injured worker has a surgery for a hernia caused by work activity, he is not entitled to a permanent partial disability award. True  or  False?  A  persistent low back strain does not entitle an injured worker to a permanent...

One of the benefits of being self-employed  and writing my own blog is that I can express my opinion  on what is right with Nevada's workers' compensation system, and what needs improvement or overhauling.  I accept no "favors" from medical providers I mention as providing superior service to injured workers.  I like to let hurt employees know which doctors and facilities I like in the hope that it may benefit my readers.  Obviously, people will disagree with my opinion, and they may have different experiences.  I am always happy to hear...

A recent article published in the Journal of Occupational & Environmental Medicine that studied 425 fire fighters from three states showed that more than 40% of the fire fighters had hearing loss in the noise-sensitive frequencies (4 and 6 kHz).  Fire fighters with longer years in fire services demonstrated significantly worse hearing.  The conclusion was that noise-induced hearing loss was prevalent and that the use of hearing protection devices had to be increased. Fire fighters and police officers are required to have a base line audiogram  when hired, and tests for hearing loss...

Workers' compensation benefits, including final settlement awards, called permanent partial disability awards, are generally not subject to assignments or garnishments, and are not subject to attorneys liens or medical provider liens. See NRS 616C.205. The one major exception to that general rule is that the statute does allow for payment of past due child support obligations under NRS 31A.150 and 31A.330. If a claimant is subject to a court order for the a payment of past due amounts, the adjuster must withhold an amount equal to 25% of the amount to be paid. An adjuster who is...

Here's an excellent question by someone posting a comment to my post about the difference between temporary light duty and permanent light duty:  Do Permanent Work Restrictions (light duty) follow me once my case is closed and a settlement has been granted? What happens if (5-10 years later) I take a job that is completely opposite from my restrictions?       The word permanent in the Nevada workers' compensation world doesn't really mean something that will never change or can't be changed. When it is determined whether an injured...

 I put together a series of videos on hearings and appeals to show injured workers the physical location of the two offices where hearings and appeals are held on contested Nevada workers' compensation claims, and what to expect at each hearing.  The address for the Hearings Division and Appeals Division is 2200 S. Rancho Drive, Las Vegas.  http://www.youtube.com/channel/UChg0l0T-Nq2LFS_1iWQGf8A/videos?view=1.