By Fred J. Lewis The Idaho Workers’ Compensation Law set up a state agency called the Industrial Special Indemnity Fund or ISIF. This state agency collects 5% of all the workers’ compensation premiums paid by businesses throughout the state of Idaho. The fund holds these funds to be paid out…
By Fred J. Lewis Idaho Code Section 72-102(18)(b) defines an industrial accident as follows: “Accident” means an unexpected, undesigned, and unlooked for mishap, or untoward event, connected with the industry in which it occurs, and which can be reasonably located as to time when and place where it occurred, causing…
By Fred J. Lewis We are currently in the 99th year of the Idaho Workers’ Compensation system. The Idaho legislature has not had to tinker much with the Idaho Workers’ Compensation system during that entire time period. I believe this is in large part due to the Claimants’ direct right…
By Fred J. Lewis I have been representing individuals involved in Idaho Worker’s Compensation claims for 29 years. Most of these injured workers have had career-ending injuries. They have to completely reinvent themselves. These career-ending injuries always result in losses. Idaho injured workers lose their friends at work. Idaho injured…
By Fred J. Lewis Serious on-the-job accidents often result in permanent injuries that will end your current job. Many employers will not accommodate the new restrictions that you will be given and you will be left in a position such that you will have to reinvent yourself. There is good…
By Fred J. Lewis Most serious on-the-job injuries to Idaho workers result in permanent injuries. Typically, you will be given restrictions by your treating doctor that will end your employment with your current employer. Most injured workers in Idaho have a difficult time after they have lost their employment because…
By Fred J. Lewis Under Idaho Worker’s Compensation law, the injured party has the burden of proof to produce medical evidence to support their Idaho Worker’s Compensation claim. This means your treating doctor needs to be on your side. He or she has to be willing to offer an opinion…
By Fred J. Lewis Sometimes the Commissioners decide that they would like to either come to a different conclusion or write a decision in a different way than the Referee has written the decision. The Commissioners then write their own decision which becomes the final order of the Idaho Industrial…
By Fred J. Lewis There is no way that the three commissioners can hear all of the Idaho Worker’s Compensation cases that must be decided by the Idaho Industrial Commission. Therefore, they hire lawyers to serve as administrative judges or Referees to hear the individual cases. These Referees travel throughout…
By Fred J. Lewis The Idaho legislature has provided the structure for how the claims of injured Idaho workers are adjudicated. There are three commissioners appointed by the Governor of the state of Idaho for 6 year terms. First, there is an appointment made by the Governor for a Commissioner…