The year 2009 was a legislative year, which always means changes for the workers’ compensation system. Indeed, due to other controversial subjects the Legislature even failed to extend the sunset of the Department of Insurance, necessitating a special session to allow continuance of the law. In addition, the Office of Injured Employee Counsel was able to expand its rights and privileges, including an ombudsman-claimant privilege against disclosure of conversations and the right to refuse services to belligerent claimants.

This year has seen several other very important developments in the workers’ compensation arena. There were numerous significant court of appeals, Supreme Court, and Appeals Panel decisions affecting the day-to-day handling of claims. Further, the Division adopted the all-important new rules for Supplemental Income Benefits. Understanding these rules is crucial.

After nearly two decades of not being a significant factor, “bad faith” litigation has become a tool in some areas of the state for the claimant following unsuccessful disputes of benefits. Carriers thus far have been successful in defending bad faith allegations when the claimant failed to timely exhaust his administrative remedies, but it is a developing trend for collateral litigation, which bears watching.

With the ever-changing nature of workers’ compensation in Texas, it is more important than ever that all parties have an up-to-date understanding of their rights and responsibilities. The Texas Workers’ Compensation Manual is the only resource that includes all relevant statutes, rules, case and Appeals Panel summaries, along with expert commentary and unique cross-referencing index.

A partial listing of what the manual includes follows:

• The newest Texas Law and all changes
• Summaries of all important Division Appeal Panel Decisions
• Summaries of all important Court of Civil Appeals and Supreme Court Decisions
• Rules passed by the Division and any important policy guides
• Comprehensive cross-referencing and index
• Explanation of law the Editors of Texas Workers’ Compensation Manual in easy to understand language

The Department of Insurance through its Workers’ Compensation division has been diligently preparing rules to implement its responsibilities under the statute. We will have all available rules in our new 2010 edition.

ORDER TODAY- AS WE FILL ORDERS AND SHIP BOOKS ACCORDING TO DATE OF PAYMENT, SO RESERVE YOUR BOOK FOR EARLY DELIVERY, EXPECTED TO BE EARLY JANUARY 2010.

Any questions about your order can be directed to Jordan Kazmann, Sales Manager: jpk@cov-press.com

We offer automatic ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS to regular customers so that you know your order will be filled year to year without delay. Please ask your manager to okay the annual order and print manager’s name on the Order Form.

Thank you for your continued support.
Covington Press, Inc.
Joel Ogden, President