March 6, 2026 The Fifth Circuit recently  reaffirmed  an important limitation on overtime liability under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): an employer is not liable for unpaid overtime unless it  knew or should have known  that the employee was working overtime. This rule extends to situations where a worker was misclassified as an independent contractor, instead of an employee. Employers should take note of the Fifth Circuit’s decision and its effect on overtime hours, e

March 6, 2026 Cannabis can’t qualify as reasonable and necessary medical treatment under the Longshore Harbor and Workers’ Compensation Act because it remains a Schedule I drug under federal law, the U.S. 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Thursday. Growing acceptance of cannabis having some medicinal value — and an apparent willingness of the federal government to entertain rescheduling — are irrelevant in Luis Peña Garcia’s request for reimbursement for edibles recommended

March 5, 2026 Workplace safety is a core priority for every organization that cares about its people and its performance. Many employers talk about safety and display slogans like  Safety First  or  Zero Harm  in their break rooms. These messages can be helpful in setting expectations. However simply saying safety matters is not enough in most workplaces. To truly protect workers and prevent incidents, employers need both an intentional  safety culture  and a robust  safety m

March 5, 2026 Risk normalization occurs when repeated safe experiences lead workers to underestimate hazards, increasing the likelihood of accidents. Key Highlights Experience can create blind spots, making seasoned workers more prone to shortcuts and complacency, which can be mitigated through targeted retraining focused on reflection and storytelling. Leadership plays a crucial role; by modeling humility and encouraging open conversations about near misses, managers can fos

March 4, 2026 FORT LAUDERDALE, FL  – The U.S. Department of Labor has cited a Florida plumbing, heating, and air conditioning contractor for exposing workers to struck-by hazards after an employee suffered a fatal injury at a Bal Harbor Shops worksite in August 2025. The department’s  Occupational Safety and Health Administration  found that on Aug. 28, 2025, a Hyvac Inc. pipefitter installing a new air-conditioning system for a mall expansion construction project was fatally

March 4, 2026 "This progress shows that when employers focus on serious injury and fatality risks, invest in prevention and build strong safety cultures, lives are protected," said Lorraine Martin, CEO, NSC. The  U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics'  2024 fatal occupational injuries data showed 5,070 worker deaths – a second consecutive year of decline. The fatal work injury rate was 3.3 fatalities per 100,000 full-time equivalent (FTE) workers in 2024, a decrease from a rate of

March 3, 2026 LAKE WORTH, FL  – The U.S. Department of Labor has cited a Land O’ Lakes-based petroleum tank services contractor for exposing workers to chemical and respiratory hazards after an employee was fatally exposed to benzene and toluene when they entered a fuel storage tank at a Lake Worth worksite in July 2025. Investigators with the department’s  Occupational Safety and Health Administration  cited PCE Petroleum Contractors Enterprises Inc. with 12 serious violatio

March 2, 2026 Contractors – of all tiers – are often surprised to learn they may be considered a “ special employer ” of individuals who actually work for independent third parties—such as temporary staffing agencies or equipment rental companies—on their projects. Even more surprising, contractors (including owners who self-perform) can be held primarily responsible for the negligent acts or omissions of these third-party workers because of this “ special employer ” status.

March 1, 2026 Workers’ compensation judges may consider a variety of factors when determining whether a claimant is permanently disabled. A case involving a worker injured operating a front-end loader highlights the type of factors that come into play. In Louisiana, those factors should also dictate whether or how an employer decides to challenge a WCJ's finding. The 58-year-old claimant was injured when the front-end loader she was operating struck concrete and jolted her, i

March 1, 2026 As older workers remain in or reenter the labor force, the workers compensation industry is zeroing in on an area where claims tend to be more severe, medically complex and costly. “Our workers compensation data clearly show that the percentage of the workforce that is older is growing,” said Rich Ives, Hartford, Connecticut-based senior vice president of business insurance claim for Travelers. “That comes with favorable impacts — lower injury frequency — and un