Ohio House Bill 308 for First Responder PTSD Claims Now In Effect

As we previously reported, in January of 2021, Governor Mike DeWine signed Ohio House Bill 308, which provides for compensation and benefits to public safety officers (a.k.a. “first responders”) who sustain a disability from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) received in the course of and arising out of employment, but without a physical injury.  House Bill 308 became effective on April 12, 2021.
House Bill 308 created a new section in the Revised Code, R.C. 126.

When Will the Ohio Industrial Commission Resume In Person Hearings?

In the last 30 days, the CDC changed its mask guidance and pronounced that fully vaccinated individuals no longer need to wear masks.  On June 2, 2021, the Ohio Department of Health’s COVID-19 order will expire, which means individuals and business will no longer be required to have social distancing and mask protocols.

Sixth District Finds Trial Court Wrongly Denied Judgment to Employer in Intentional Tort Case

Under R.C. 4123.74, the benefits provided by Ohio’s workers’ compensation law are an employee’s exclusive remedy for injuries sustained in the course of and arising out of employment. An employer is immune from civil suits for work-related injuries if the employer has complied with the law by paying worker’s compensation premiums or is self-insured.  However, employers remain liable for injuries resulting from intentional acts of an employer to harm an employee.

Top 10 Most Frequently Cited OSHA Standards

The following is a list of the top 10 most frequently cited standards following inspections of worksites by federal OSHA for Fiscal Year 2020 (Oct. 1, 2019, to Sept. 30, 2020). This list is updated and released annually.

Fall Protection, construction (29 CFR 1926.501)
Hazard Communication Standard, general industry (29 CFR 1910.1200)
Respiratory Protection, general industry (29 CFR 1910.134)
Scaffolding, general requirements, construction (29 CFR 1926.451)
Ladders, construction (29 CFR 1926.