March 20, 2012

2011 Saw a Drop in OSHA Inspections but Fines for Serious Violations Doubled

Contrary to what many would believe with the current administration, OSHA inspections for 2011 were down from 2010.  Federal compliance officers conducted 40,648 inspections in 2011.  […]
March 1, 2012

Refusal of Light Duty Position Can Serve as Future Block to Temporary Total Disability Benefits

Employers have long utilized offers of light duty employment as effective tools to return injured employees to work and to limit the amount of temporary total […]
March 1, 2012

Ohio Supreme Court Upholds Mandatory Punitive Damages Bifurcation

The Ohio General Assembly previously enacted a statute (R.C. 2315.21) requiring that civil trials involving compensatory and punitive damages in a tort claim be bifurcated upon […]
February 6, 2012

Come Join Us at the BWC Safety Congress on March 29th!

Come join Charlie Smith on March 29th at 3:45 at the BWC Safety Congress in Columbus, Ohio  for a panel discussion on the impact in the workplace […]
January 17, 2012

New Legislation Regulating Pain Management Clinics and the Long Term Utilization of Narcotics Will Have a Dramatic Impact on the Management of Workers’ Compensation Claims

In May, Governor Kasich signed into law Substitute House Bill 93.  This legislation was intended to address concerns over the sale, distribution and use of narcotics […]
January 17, 2012

Workers’ Compensation Claimant May Pursue Any Theory of Causation in Court Appeal

As most employers know, a court appeal may be filed concerning a claimant’s right to participate in the workers’ compensation fund.  Typically, the issue of initial […]
January 17, 2012

Statutory Subrogee’s Subrogation Claim Governed by Six Year Statute of Limitations

So, how long does a self-insured employer have to file an action against a third party to recover the workers compensation benefits it paid to an […]
December 23, 2011

Charles Smith and Ryan Bonina Honored by Ohio Super Lawyers Magazine

Charles D. Smith & Associates is pleased to announce that Charles D. Smith has been named to the Ohio Super Lawyers list by Ohio Super Lawyers […]
December 23, 2011

Labor Department to Issue Proposed Rule Extending Protection to Home Care Workers

On December 15, 2011, President Obama and Labor Secretary Hilda Solis announced that the Labor Department will soon issue a proposed rule that would limit the […]