Last chance to register for the fall Adjusters' Conference!!!

The dates for the conference to be held at the Hilton Hotel, Burlington, Vermont are October 22^ndand 23^rd.  The seminars begin at 12:30pm Thursday the 22 and conclude at noon on the 23^rd.  Please note the times of the conference and make certain that travel arrangements do not conflict with the start and end times.  Attendees must be present for the whole conference. 

Additionally, this is the last conference of the biennium.  If people have not been in 2014 or 2015 they need to register and attend. 

The link for the conference registration is:

http://www.cvent.com/d/2rq5yf/4W

Any questions regarding registration should be directed to:

Delaney Meeting & Event Management

One Mill St. #315

Burlington, VT 05401

Phone (802) 865-5202

Fax (802) 865-8066

UPDATED SCHEDULE: More webinars added for Highlights of the New Workers' Compensation Rules

Highlights of the New Vermont Workers' Compensation Rules occurs several times and two additional time slots were added. Please register for the date and time that works best for you:

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/rt/3243295787674604545

This two hour webinar will review some of the recent changes to the Vermont Workers' Compensation Rules that went into effect August 1, 2015. The seminar is presented by Ryan Smith & Carbine, Ltd.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

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Highlights of the New Vermont Workers' Compensation Rules Webinars

We have set up five different webinars on the new workers' compensation rules starting next week.

Highlights of the New Vermont Workers' Compensation Rules webinars will occur several times. Please register for the date and time that works best for you:

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/rt/8526696549103107330

This two hour webinar will review some of the recent changes to the Vermont Workers' Compensation Rules that went into effect August 1, 2015. The seminar is presented by Ryan Smith & Carbine, Ltd.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Brought to you by GoToWebinar®
Webinars Made Easy®

Vermont Workers' Compensation Adjusters Continuing Education Conference Registration Opens

Registration is now open for the Vermont Workers’ Compensation Adjusters Continuing Education Conference to be held this fall. 

The dates for the conference to be held at the Hilton Hotel, Burlington, Vermont are October 22^nd and 23^rd.  The seminars begin at 12:30pm Thursday the 22 and conclude at noon on the 23^rd.  Please note the times of the conference and make certain that travel arrangements do not conflict with the start and end times.  Attendees must be present for the whole conference. 

Additionally, this is the last conference of the biennium.  If people have not been in 2014 or 2015 they need to register and attend. 

The link for the conference registration is:

http://www.cvent.com/d/2rq5yf/4W

Any questions regarding registration should be directed to:

Delaney Meeting & Event Management

One Mill St. #315

Burlington, VT 05401

Phone (802) 865-5202

Fax (802) 865-8066

Forms For July 1 COLA Adjustment Available

The Vermont Department of Labor has posted the form for Notice in Change of Compensation Rate for fiscal year 2016 on its website.  Compensation shall be adjusted on July 1, 2016 for any worker who has received wage replacement benefits for 26 weeks as of that date.

The statute requires that with regards to the computation of the average weekly wage, “[c]ompensation computed pursuant to this section shall be adjusted annually on July 1, so that such compensation continues to bear the same percentage relationship to the average weekly wage in the state as computed under this chapter as it did at the time of injury. Temporary total or temporary partial compensation shall first be adjusted on the first July 1 following the receipt of 26 weeks of benefits.” 21 V.S.A. § 650(d).

An exception to the COLA increase exists.  If a worker is not receiving disability benefits on July 1, the worker is not entitled to a cost of living adjustment for that year when such benefits subsequently are reinstated.  Birchmore v. The McKernon Grp., Op. No. 40-11WC (2011); Bollhardt, Op. No. 51-04WC (2004); V.S. v. Kennametal, Op. No. 19-07WC (2007).

The 2016 Form is located on line at:

http://labor.vermont.gov/forms/#comp

Legislative Session Ends With No New Workers' Compensation Laws

The 2015 session of the Vermont General Assembly concluded on Saturday May 16 with no news to report with regard to the workers' compensation statute.  For the first time in a number of years, no legislation was enacted which materially affects the handling of workers' compensation claims in the State of Vermont.

When the legislature returns to the statehouse in January, 2016 it is expected that a number of bills may be discussed.  For instance it is anticipated that the House Committee on Commerce and Economic Development will revisit the issues of independent contractors and statutory employers.

Workers' Compensation Division Announces Hiring of Specialist

The Vermont Department of Labor has announced  that Julie Mercier  has joined the Division of Workers' Compensation staff as a Workers’ Compensation Specialist II. 

The recent announcement noted that she has an Associates of Science as a Paralegal and a Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies, both from Woodbury College.  Her work experience includes jobs as a paralegal with Zalinger Cameron & Lambek, PC, and as a Docket Clerk for the Criminal and Family Court of Washington County, Vermont.