While this story does not involve an impairment such as we often are familiar with in workers’ comp, it does involve a severe, debilitating illness and an attitude worthy of discussion. Friday night my wife and I were enjoying dinner and drinks with friends in a local restaurant. Near the end of our meal, we…
After Westphal, Is There Any Doubt We Are Confused?
Last week the Florida First District Court of Appeal reversed an earlier significant decision; and in so doing highlighted the inherent conflicts of running a medical benefits system within the confines of a legal, statutorily driven entity. Many will recall that last February the court struck down as unconstitutional a key component of Florida’s workers'…
Finding My Pulitzer on the Road to Bah Hahbah
I can’t write about workers’ comp this week. I’m on vacation, and therefore must avoid work at all costs. My wife has indicated that being caught working on vacation could be injurious to my health, and since as noted I am on said vacation, I would not have any indemnity or medical protection. My wife…
Punching the Chief Happiness Officer Over Syllables Without Substance
As a visionary change management serial entrepreneur specializing in motivational leadership and paradigm shifting catalytic thought provocation, I wanted to reach out and dialogue on a topic to expand your inter dimensional understanding of its essence, and ensure you embrace that comprehension at the next, albeit less competent, level. In other words, “I want to…
Moderating the Future of Workers' Comp at NWCDN Hartford
The morning of October 17th will start with opening remarks from John A. Mastropietro, State of Connecticut Workers' Compensation Chairman. It will be followed by Keynote Speaker David North, CEO, Sedgwick Claims Management Services, who will be speaking on “Workers’ Compensation Industry Trends: Where Might We Be In 2023?“ I get to follow Mr. North,…
Fast Food Strippers Will Solve Our Labor Strife
My God, I am freaking brilliant. In the blink of an eye, I took two major labor stories that have been in the news of late, combined them, and simultaneously solved two controversial labor issues. This is yet another idea for which I'll probably be awarded a Nobel Prize. Or a Pulitzer. Maybe a Booby…
The Robber Probably Should Have Removed His Nametag
A California man has been arrested and has allegedly confessed to armed robberies of two Bay Area McDonald's Restaurants. Officials say he went into each location wearing a white mask, brandished a gun, took an undisclosed amount of cash and ordered all the employees into the freezer. There was only one teensy weensy flaw in…
1,000,000 Article Views – A Milestone For "Bob's Cluttered Desk"
Yesterday was a very special day for me. My workers’ compensation blog, “From Bob’s Cluttered Desk”, which is just over 2 years old, served up its one millionth article view just before 4:30 in the afternoon. That means that either one million people have each read an article, or one lonely, demented, very sad person…
Calipornia's Critical Condom Conundrum
California is a state that never ceases to amaze. Just when you think you've heard all that could possibly be heard, they step up and raise the bar – always insuring the rest of the country has plenty to talk about. This week an HIV outbreak in the porn industry, which has resisted efforts to…
A Panera Bread Lesson in Workers' Comp
What do sandwiches and pastries have in common with workers’ compensation? More than you might think, when you analyze the process in which both are produced. I met my wife the other day for lunch at a Panera Bread near my office in downtown Sarasota. I ordered my perennial favorite, the Chipotle Chicken Sandwich, while…