As a workers compensation attorney, we see a fair share of construction worker clients who have suffered from construction site injuries and accidents. Construction workers often face dangerous working conditions that put them at risk for injury. Some of these risks include being exposed to high levels of noise, chemicals, and other hazards on the job site. Learn about some of the most common types of injuries construction workers face Protect Yourself from Falling ObjectsIf you work as a construction worker, you should take precautions to protect yourself from falling objects. This...

While the cost of a Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) exam usually falls on the workers’ compensation insurer. There are circumstances when the burden falls on the injured worker. Unfortunately, this burden just got a bit heavier for the injured workers to carry in these rare situations. Effective February 1, 2022, the cost of a PPD evaluation for 2 body parts rose from $901.35 to $911.26. Every year the Nevada Medical Fee Schedule changes in February. These changes dictate what doctors can charge the workers' compensation insurer for different services.  A copy of the current Nevada...

Effective January 1, 2022, the reimbursement rate for workers compensation related travel has been increased from 56 cents per mile to 58.5 cents per mile. See the Division of Industrial Relations’ memorandum here. Injured workers are eligible for mileage allowance under NAC 616C.150. Mileage is eligible for reimbursement if the injured worker is (1) traveling to a doctor’s appointment related to his or her workers compensation claim (this includes physical therapy); (2) is using a private vehicle; (3) and travels 20 miles or more one way, or 40 miles or more within one week In order to be...

As mentioned in SB 289 part 1, this year’s legislative session was a big one and SB 289 was a huge bill. SB 289 changed apportionment, who can sign C-4s, determinations send by fax, added attorney’s liens, amended rules about accepting PPD awards, clarified existing rules on vocational rehabilitation, and allows claimants to recover costs. While SB 289 part 1 was all about the new apportionment changes, this blog will briefly touch on the rest of SB 289. Who can sign C-4s? Previously, only chiropractors (DC) and physicians (MDs and DOs) could sign the initial claims forms and treat...

Average Monthly Wage for Fiscal Year 2022 Increases! For Fiscal Year 2022, which began on July 1, 2021, the maximum average monthly wage used to calculate workers’ compensation benefits has increased to $6,927.83. This is applicable to injuries on claims filed after July 1, 2021. If you have a claim established already, this increase will not affect your benefits. The maximum temporary total disability benefit in Nevada is 66 2/3 of the maximum average monthly wage. That means that if the injured worker is off work due to the injury for a month, or her employer does not have light duty...

This year’s legislative session was a big one, so big that I will need to break it down into separate blogs. There were three bills that passed this session, that will have an impact on workers’ compensation. The biggest of which was SB 289, which made changes to apportionment, who can sign C-4s, determinations sent by fax, liens, accepting a PPD while still contesting certain issues, vocational rehabilitation, and costs. This blog will discuss the changes to the statute that govern apportionment of PPD awards. What is apportionment? The easiest why to describe apportionment in terms of...

While the cost of a Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) exam usually falls on the workers’ compensation insurer. There are circumstances when the burden falls on the injured worker. Unfortunately, this burden just got a bit heavier for the injured workers to carry in these rare situations. Effective February 1, 2021, the cost of a PPD evaluation for 2 body parts rose from $865.02 to $901.35. Two of the most common reasons an injured worker may have to pay for a rating out-of-pocket include situations in which the insurer is attempting to close the claim without a rating (although,...