NEWS RELEASE: Change in mileage reimbursement rate

Effective January 1, 2020, the mileage rate will become 57.5 cents per mile for travel to seek medical treatment or while participating in an approved vocational rehabilitation plan. This conforms to the reimbursement rate paid to State of Nebraska employees. See related news release (https://www.wcc.ne.gov/service-providers/attorneys/benefit-rates/mileage-rate-news-release).

Schedules of Fees for Inpatient Hospital Diagnostic Related Group (DRG) and Inpatient Hospital Trauma Services

The Schedules of Fees for Inpatient Hospital Diagnostic Related Group (DRG) and Inpatient Hospital Trauma Services may be downloaded from the Fee Schedules section of the our website (https://www.wcc.ne.gov/service-providers/medical-providers/fee-schedules). Both schedules are effective January 1, 2020.

Clerk’s Office fax service as been restored

Technical issues regarding the fax number for the Clerk of the Court have been resolved. Pleadings or other documents to be filed with the Clerk of the Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court can be faxed to 402-471-8231 as usual.

Clerk’s Office fax temporarily offline

The Clerk’s Office fax (402-471-8231) is temporarily offline. Until the technical issues are resolved, please eFile or hand-deliver pleadings or other documents to be filed with the Clerk of the Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court.

Schedule of Fees for Medical Services

The Schedule of Fees for Medical Services may be downloaded from the Fee Schedules section of our website (https://www.wcc.ne.gov/service-providers/medical-providers/fee-schedules). The Schedules of Fees for Inpatient Hospital Diagnostic Related Group (DRG) and Inpatient Hospital Trauma Services will be posted within the next week. All three fee schedules are effective January 1, 2020.

Rule amendments adopted at December 18, 2019 public meeting

Amendments to Rules 2, 26, 29, 30, 47, and Addenda 2 and 3 were adopted at a public meeting on December 18, 2019. Non-adjudicatory Rules 26, 29, 30, 47, and Addenda 2 and 3 became effective December 17, 2020. Adopted amendments to adjudicatory Rule 2 will become effective only upon review and approval by the Nebraska Supreme Court. (https://www.wcc.ne.gov/home/public-hearings-and-public-meetings)

Annual Report, Fiscal Year 2019

Our 77th Annual Report features activities of the Nebraska Workers' Compensation Court in Fiscal Year 2019 (https://www.wcc.ne.gov/resources/court-forms-and-publications/annual-reports).

Decision Summaries, FY 2019

Summaries of Nebraska Supreme Court and Court of Appeals Decisions on Workers’ Compensation Cases for Fiscal Year 2019 are available for viewing / downloading on our website (https://www.wcc.ne.gov/service-providers/attorneys/appellate-court-decisions).

NEWS RELEASE: Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Maximum Weekly Income Benefit To Increase

Effective January 1, 2020, the maximum weekly income benefit under the Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Act will increase to $882.00. This amount applies to work-related injuries and illnesses occurring on or after January 1, 2020 (https://www.wcc.ne.gov/service-providers/attorneys/benefit-rates/benefits-news-release).

Public Hearing and Public Meeting: December 18, 2019

The Notice, Agenda, and Proposed Amended Rules for a December 18, 2019 public hearing and public meeting are available for viewing or downloading (https://www.wcc.ne.gov/home/public-hearings-and-public-meetings).

All NWCC fax numbers are back online

All technical issues regarding the Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court fax numbers for the Administrative Offices, Regulatory Programs, Vocational Rehabilitation, and Human Resources have been resolved. All court fax numbers are online and functioning normally.

NWCC fax numbers temporarily offline

The following Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court fax numbers are temporarily offline.

• Administrative Offices: 402-471-2700
• Regulatory Programs: 402-742-8310
• Vocational Rehabilitation: 402-742-8311
• Human Resources: 402-742-2312

Until the technical issues regarding these fax numbers are resolved you may send documents to these sections of the court by postal mail to Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court, P.O. Box 98908, Lincoln NE 68509-8908. These documents may also be delivered by FedEx, UPS, or in person to our Administrative offices: Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court, 1221 N Street, Suite 402, Lincoln, NE 68508.

Please note that the faxes for the Clerk’s Office (ONLY for faxing pleadings and other documents to be filed with the Clerk of the Court), Omaha office, and Bureau of Labor Statistics Programs are online and functioning normally.

Request a speaker from the Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court

A new form is available on our website for requesting speaker presentations from the Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court (https://www.wcc.ne.gov/resources/speaker-request).

Our judges and staff are available to address a wide variety of workers’ compensation issues in Nebraska. Keep in mind when requesting a judge or staff person for your program that neither the judges nor staff are able to discuss certain matters (such as pending cases), nor can they provide legal advice.

EDI Claims Release 3.1, Version 1.2 Requirements

The Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court confirms the requirements set out in Nebraska’s Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) Claims Release 3.1, Version 1.2, as noted in this announcement, have been effective since August 26, 2019.

NEWS RELEASE: Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court Increases Insurance Coverage Enforcement and Fines

The Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court announced that collection of fines and penalties from employers who failed to obtain workers’ compensation insurance exceeded $52,219 in fiscal year 2019. (https://www.wcc.ne.gov/home/court-news/2019-5-news)

Career Opportunity: Assistant Clerk [Update: Position Closed]

The closing date for this position is September 23, 2019 (https://www.wcc.ne.gov/home/career-opportunities).

Career Opportunity: Assistant Clerk [Update: Position Closed]

The closing date for this position is August 23, 2019 (https://www.wcc.ne.gov/home/career-opportunities).

DRG Reporting Web Application Now Available

The Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court has activated its web-based data entry application for Diagnostic Related Group (DRG) reports. Hospitals and payors may report for themselves, or they may allow a third party to report for them. (https://www.wcc.ne.gov/service-providers/medical-providers/drg-reporting)

How to access decisions and orders of the Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court

Decisions and orders of the Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court may be accessed using the following methods.

Attorneys

The court’s decisions and orders are available to attorneys through the following legal research services:

• CaseMaker
• LexisNexis
• Westlaw

Public Access

The public may log into our Decisions and Orders Online Search only after requesting access in Step 1 below:

• Step 1 - Complete and submit the Request for Access Form
• Step 2 - Log in to the Decisions and Orders Online Search Application 

The public may also request copies of decisions and orders via our Record Request web application (https://www.wcc.ne.gov/information-for-the-public/record-requests). To request copies of decisions and orders using this method, please provide the specific case name / caption or docket and page number in the web application’s “Detailed Description of Records Requested” free-form text field.

Please contact us by email (https://www.wcc.ne.gov/home/contact-us) with questions or call our Information Line at 800-599-5155 (toll free) or 402-471-6468.

NEWS RELEASE: Judge Fridrich elected NWCC presiding judge

Judge Daniel R. Fridrich has been elected as presiding judge of the Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court. (https://www.wcc.ne.gov/home/court-news/2019-4-news)

Statistical Report, 2009 through 2018

This statistical report summarizes information reported to the Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court by employers and insurers for work-related injuries and illnesses that occurred during calendar years 2009 through 2018, regardless of the year in which the reports were filed. (https://www.wcc.ne.gov/resources/court-forms-and-publications/statistical-reports)

Allen Kassebaum inducted into the Central States Association Hall of Fame

The Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court congratulates Allen Kassebaum upon his induction into the Central States Association Hall of Fame at its 2019 Spring Seminar in Madison, Wis. on June 20 (https://twitter.com/IAIABC/status/1141786581445074947).

The Central States Association is an association of jurisdictional workers’ compensation agencies from the central region of the U.S., including Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

Allen has been an active participant in Central States Association activities since 2005 and has twice served as that organization’s president and vice president. Allen currently manages the Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court’s Regulatory Programs section, which is responsible for the medical services, compliance (including electronic data interchange), and self insurance programs of the court.

Career Opportunity: Electronic Data Interchange Analyst [Update: Position Closed]

The closing date for this position has been extended to June 17, 2019 (https://www.wcc.ne.gov/home/career-opportunities).

Decisions and Orders Search Application Offline

The Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court Decisions and Orders Search Application is temporarily offline. Record requests may be submitted to obtain copies of the court’s decisions and orders, however.

Career Opportunity: Assistant Clerk [Update: Position Closed]

The closing date for this position is May 28, 2019 (https://www.wcc.ne.gov/home/career-opportunities).

2017 Bureau of Labor Statistics Reports for Nebraska

The 2017 Nebraska Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses and Nebraska Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries are now available (https://www.wcc.ne.gov/resources/court-forms-and-publications/bureau-of-labor-statistics-reports).

Updated Rules of Procedure, Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court

The Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court’s revised Rules of Procedure are now available (https://www.wcc.ne.gov/resources/court-forms-and-publications/rules-of-procedure). Amendments to Rules 2, 3, 47, and Addendum 2 were adopted at a public meeting on April 11, 2019. Non-adjudicatory Rule 47 and Addendum 2 became effective April 11, 2019. Adopted amendments to adjudicatory Rules 2 and 3 became effective May 8, 2019, following review and approval by the Nebraska Supreme Court.

Please note that newly adopted and approved summary judgment procedures are contained in Rule 3,E. If there are any questions regarding summary judgment procedures, please call the court’s Information Line at 402-471-6468 or 800-599-5155 (toll free) and ask to speak with the Clerk’s Office.

Initial processing of EDI reports during transition to Claims Release 3.1

Announcement regarding initial processing of Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) reports during transition to Claims Release 3.1 (https://nwccedi.info/news)

Career Opportunity: Public Information and Electronic Records Assistant [Update: Position Closed]

The closing date for this position is May 13, 2019 (https://www.wcc.ne.gov/home/career-opportunities).

Rule amendments adopted at April 11, 2019 public meeting

Amendments to Rules 2, 3, 47, and Addendum 2 were adopted at a public meeting on April 11, 2019. Rule 47 and Addendum 2 became effective April 11, 2019. Adopted amendments to Rules 2 and 3 will become effective only upon review and approval of the Nebraska Supreme Court. (https://www.wcc.ne.gov/home/public-hearings-and-public-meetings)

Live video stream of April 11, 2019 Public Hearing and Public Meeting

Select this link to view a live video stream of this public hearing and public meeting.

Filings and other communications with the Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court during the flood recovery effort

With ongoing delays of U.S. Postal Service deliveries in the wake of recent flooding, the Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court is taking steps to ensure that filings and other communications will continue to be received and delivered in a timely manner (https://www.wcc.ne.gov/home/court-news/2019-3-news).

EDI Claims Release 3.1, Version 1.1 Requirements Now Available

Announcement regarding EDI Claims Release 3.1, Version 1.1 EDI Requirement Tables that are now available for download (https://nwccedi.info/news).

Career Opportunity: Senior Infrastructure Support Analyst [Update: Position Closed]

The closing date for this position is March 22, 2019 (https://www.wcc.ne.gov/home/career-opportunities).

Public Hearing and Public Meeting: April 11, 2019

The Notice, Agenda, and Proposed Amended Rules for an April 11, 2019 public hearing and public meeting are available for viewing or downloading (https://www.wcc.ne.gov/home/public-hearings-and-public-meetings).

Vocational Rehabilitation Meeting Announcement and Results of the 01/25/2019 Meeting

Vocational Rehabilitation meeting announcement and results of the 01/25/2019 meeting are now available. Contact us to obtain this document (https://www.wcc.ne.gov/home/contact-us).

Career Opportunity: Workers’ Compensation Auditor [Update: Position Closed]

This position will remain open until filled (https://www.wcc.ne.gov/home/career-opportunities).

NEWS RELEASE: Scheduled processing downtime anticipated for NWCC Electronic Data Interchange program

The Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court anticipates intermittent scheduled downtime for Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) Claims Release 1.0 processing from now until the transition to EDI Claims Release 3.1 is completed on May 15, 2019. This will result in delays in the court’s acknowledgements that EDI trading partner data has been received and processed. (https://www.wcc.ne.gov/home/court-news/2019-2-news)

NWCC Electronic Data Interchange daily batch processing temporarily suspended

Daily processing of Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) batch files by the Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court is temporarily suspended. This will result in delays in the court’s acknowledgements that EDI trading partner data has been received and processed. EDI Trading Partners should continue submitting their data transactions as usual, as we expect to resume daily processing within the next 48 hours. We apologize for this inconvenience.

Rules of Procedure, Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court

The Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court’s revised Rules of Procedure are now available (https://www.wcc.ne.gov/resources/court-forms-and-publications/rules-of-procedure). Amendments to the court’s adjudicatory Rule 2 was adopted at a December 20, 2018 public meeting and approved by the Nebraska Supreme Court on January 23, 2019. Amendments to the court’s non-adjudicatory Rules 26, 47, and 50 were adopted at a December 20, 2018 public meeting.

NEWS RELEASE: NWCC eFiling Enhancements Now Available

The Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court has released enhancements to its eFiling system. Electronic Service (eService) is now available and appeal pleadings can now be eFiled (https://www.wcc.ne.gov/home/court-news/2019-1-news).  Rule 2,D was amended effective January 23, 2019 to allow for these enhancements (https://supremecourt.nebraska.gov/sites/default/files/rule_amendments/WCC2Amds.pdf).

NOTICE: NWCC eFiling web-based application offline starting at 9:00 a.m. CST on 01/30/2019

In order to implement eService as described in a recent amendment to Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court Rule 2, approved by the Nebraska Supreme Court on January 23, 2019 (https://supremecourt.nebraska.gov/sites/default/files/rule_amendments/WCC2Amds.pdf), our web-based eFiling application will be offline for about 15 minutes starting at 9:00 a.m. CST on January 30, 2019. After eFiling is back online, attorneys should log in to their Nebraska.gov attorney profiles to verify their designated email addresses for purposes of eService.

Career Opportunity: Assistant Clerk (Two Positions Available) [Update: Position Closed]

The closing date for this position is February 1, 2019 (https://www.wcc.ne.gov/home/career-opportunities).

NWCC EDI Claims Release 3.1 Webinar Recording Now Available

A recording of the recent Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court Electronic Data Interchange Release 3.1 informational webinar is now available for online viewing (https://nwccedi.info/news).