Social Networking and Online Privacy

Over at the Legal Talk Network there was a recent podcast that details much information about how websites like Facebook can affect a workers comp claim. For that matter anything online can be information that is used by the other side. Even employers can check into employees or prospective employees online. Investigators or insurance adjustors are very interested in finding out about claimants. Moreover the information you post is forever online or so it seems. In this podcast there is a very interesting discussion on this and it can also be useful for attorneys. I also noticed another podcast on surveillance and it is also revealing about what is done when surveillance is requested. Both of these podcasts are fascinating but are provided here for general information. Much of this may apply to Colorado but perhaps not all. I can say that if a claimant has a high value claim or claim for a serious injury or has something that raises a red flag that insurers will gather up information which can be from online sources or private investigators. Every claimant should be careful with their online or public activities. Even discussions with friends, neighbors or co-workers can affect the claim.

Medicare Rights Group Against GOP Changes

There seems to be a constant assault on Social Security and Medicare/Medicaid coming from I would call the far right of the political spectrum. The fact that Social Security has not been the real problem with the federal deficits and actually was borrowed against to fund government spending does not matter now. While there is no question that structural changes to make it more solvent may be soon needed the current effort seems nothing short of inhumane in its consequences if enacted. While that will not happen I find it amazing after all these years to see some questioning the usefulness of such benefits. The inability of some to accept the notion that we just need to cover the old, the disabled and the young astounds me but I guess they do not generate much income so we should minimize them is their attitude. Anyway this medicare rights group notes their disagreement with the GOP effort of one representative to pare down benefits. Also the Alliance for Retired Americans is voicing its concerns. Lastly at another site for the "middle class" they are also critical of this proposed legislation.

Recent Hearing Decisions

Over at the website for the Office of Administrative Courts they do, from time to time, post all or most of the workers comp hearing decisions. They redact or edit out certain parts especially the claimant's name but the reasoning and facts found are all there for anyone to review. The latest they have is for February 2011 and the decisions start with a claimant wanting botox to matters involving compensability and a host of other matters. It is always interesting to read what is happening at the local level. Moreover they do include names of doctors or other experts so you can see what case that doctor has been involved with. If you want to see how complex this field can get go ahead and look at these cases. Moreover the cases do set forth what the hearing judge believes is the law with citations though any of the cases can be subject to an appeal.