Here you’ll find the most recent news, events and caselaw updates from Fitch Johnson Larson.
- Parker Stevens v. City of FairmontParker Stevens v. City of Fairmont, No. WC25-6605 (W.C.C.A. November 12, 2025) Compensation Judge: Lisa B. Pearson The employee, a police officer, was injured in a work-related motor vehicle accident on May 26, 2023. He suffered back pain and whiplash. Primary liability was admitted, but payment for the employee’s chiropractic treatment was denied on the basis that the treatment was not authorized. An administrative conference on the employee’s medical request was held on December 31, 2024. DOLI issued an order on January 8, 2025 finding
- Hitchins v. Fed. Express Corp.Hitchins v. Fed. Express Corp., No. WC24-6578 (W.C.C.A Mar. 28, 2025) The employee, Joanne Hitchins, sustained an admitted injury to her left hip on November 28, 2018, when she fell on ice in a parking lot while working for the self-insured employer, Federal Express. All appropriate benefits were paid. On December 28, 2021, the employee sustained another admitted work injury to her right shoulder when she fell on ice while delivering a package. Litigation arose from this injury. On January 9, 2023, the employee hired
- Roderick Elzie v. Univ. of Minn.Roderick Elzie v. Univ. of Minn., No. WC25-6603 (WCCA, November 18, 2025) The employee, Roderick Elzie, settled his workers’ compensation claim against two separate employers, the University of Minnesota and Vogt Heating and Air conditioning. Each employer agreed to pay $67,000.00 to the employee for a total payment of $134,000.00. An award was issued on December 5, 2023 with payment being due of December 19, 2023. The payment from University of Minnesota was received by employee’s attorney on January 3, 2024. University of Minnesota is
- Williams v. Delta Air Lines, Inc.Williams v. Delta Air Lines, Inc., WCCA No. WC25-6597 (W.C.C.A. September 22, 2025) The Employee, was an individual who had experienced a variety of symptoms arising from sensitivity to chemical irritants throughout her life. She started as an employee of Northwest Airlines, but became an employee of Delta Air Lines following a merger. Following the merger, she was required to wear a different “Passport Plum” uniform starting in 2018. In June of 2018, the Employee began experiencing skin rashes and hives, and consulted with her
- Nash v. Diocese of Duluth, et al.Nash v. Diocese of Duluth, et al., No. WC25-6599 (WCCA Sept. 23, 2025) Karen Nash sustained an admitted right ankle injury when she fell during an ice-skating field trip with her students while working as a physical education teacher for the employer, St. Joseph’s School/Diocese of Duluth, on February 1, 2018. X-rays showed a posterior malleolar distal tibia fracture. She was casted and given crutches to walk. She then had an extensive series of medical treatment. A CT scan showed that the fracture never completely
- Miles, Meetings, and Mishaps: Workers’ Comp on the Road
You’re sitting at home, coffee in hand. You decide to get a head start on the day and finish a few assignments before driving into work. You send a few emails and complete a few reports. You then get into your car and start driving to work. Suddenly, another car runs a red light and slams into your vehicle. Your car is destroyed and your neck is hurting. You’re wondering: Does workers’ compensation cover my injuries? Workers’ compensation coverage can get complicated and blurry when - Primary Liability: Is this Compensable?When conducting your initial investigation, it can be difficult to determine which facts favor either an admission of liability, or a denial. In this article, FJL weighs some common scenarios that present themselves during the investigation phase and what it may mean for your primary liability determination: This is a pretty common scenario and can be a basis for a good faith denial of primary liability. This is part of the reason why obtaining the initial medical records is important. If there are different accounts
- Primary Liability: Good Faith DenialsIn our second installment of determining primary liability, we’ll discuss crafting a good faith denial. After a thorough initial investigation, a claims professional may have reason to want to deny the compensability of a claim. If that is the decision, a claims professional must be careful that there is adequate information and reason to deny a claim. Minnesota Rules provide guidance on properly asserting an adequate denial. For example, if a claim is denied, a Notice of Primary Liability often needs to be completed, and
- Lucas Peterson v. City of MinneapolisLucas Peterson v. City of Minneapolis, No. A24-1205 (Minn. 2025). The Employee worked as a police officer for the City of Minneapolis for 22 years. In 2021, he informed the City he could no longer serve as a police officer due to PTSD and he sought benefits. The City denied liability and the Employee filed a Claim Petition. Following a hearing, the workers’ compensation judge ruled that the Employee was entitled to benefits for a present diagnosis of PTSD. The compensation judge also awarded penalties
- Primary Liability: Conducting the Initial InvestigationMost claims are accepted. However, each claim will need to have an investigation completed before determining compensability. By the time you, the claims representative, gets notice of the claim – the clock may already be running on your compensability decision. The first step is to conduct a good faith investigation, but what is a good faith investigation? According to DOLI, a good investigation is one that does three things: The next question is, how does a claims professional obtain this information in the investigation process?