Rule amendments adopted at December 29, 2022 public meeting

Amendments to Rules 2, 3, 8, 13, 14, 26, 42, 45, 47, 63 and Addendum 2 were adopted at a public meeting on December 29, 2022. Non-adjudicatory Rules 42, 45, 47, 63 and Addendum 2 became effective December 29, 2022. Amendments to Rule 26 are effective January 1, 2023. Adopted amendments to adjudicatory Rules 2, 3, 8, 13, and 14 will become effective only upon review and approval by the Nebraska Supreme Court. (https://www.wcc.ne.gov/home/public-hearings-and-public-meetings).

2021 Bureau of Labor Statistics Reports for Nebraska

The 2021 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).

Public Hearing and Public Meeting: December 29, 2022

The Notice, Agenda, and Proposed Amended Rules for a December 29, 2022 public hearing and public meeting are available for viewing or downloading (https://www.newcc.gov/home/public-hearings-and-public-meetings). 

Career Opportunity: Workers' Compensation Auditor [UPDATE: This position has closed]

Update: This position has closed. 

Annual Report, Fiscal Year 2022

Our 80th Annual Report features activities of the Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court in Fiscal Year 2022 (https://www.wcc.ne.gov/resources/court-forms-and-publications/annual-reports).

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

Effective January 1, 2023, the maximum weekly income benefit under the Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Act will increase to $1,029.00. This amount applies to work-related injuries and illnesses occurring on or after January 1, 2023 (https://www.wcc.ne.gov/home/court-news/2022-6-news).

Career Opportunity: Data Collection and Research Analyst / Lead [UPDATE: This position has closed.]

The closing date for this position is November 1, 2022 (https://www.wcc.ne.gov/home/career-opportunities).

NEWS RELEASE: Jill Gradwohl Schroeder Receives IAIABC President’s Award

Jill Gradwohl Schroeder, Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court Administrator, received the Frances Perkins Award as part of the President’s Awards ceremony at the 108th convention of the International Association of Industrial Accident Boards and Commissions (IAIABC) in September. See related news release.

NEWS RELEASE: Mandatory E-Filing coming to the Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court

The Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court is moving to mandatory E-Filing for all pleadings filed by Nebraska attorneys in 2023. See related news release.

Decision Summaries, FY 2022

Summaries of Nebraska Supreme Court and Court of Appeals Decisions on Workers’ Compensation Cases for Fiscal Year 2022 are available on our website (https://www.newcc.gov/service-providers/attorneys/appellate-court-decisions).

DRG Reporting Web Application Now Available [UPDATE: DRG Reporting for calendar year 2022 has ended]

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).

Deputy Clerk of the Court Selected

The Nebraska Workers' Compensation Court is pleased to announce Rachel Wulf Schmidt as its new Deputy Clerk, effective August 1, 2022. Rachel began her career with the court as an Assistant Clerk in October 2015 and has worked as a Judicial Assistant since January 2019. We congratulate Rachel on her advancement to this new role.

Career Opportunities: Judicial Assistant, Vocational Rehabilitation Legal Assistant [UPDATE: Both positions have been closed]

The Judicial Assistant and Vocational Rehabilitation Legal Assistant positions have been closed. 

Statistical Report, 2017 through 2021

This report summarizes information electronically reported to the court by employers and insurers for work-related injuries and illnesses that occurred during calendar years 2017 through 2021, regardless of the year the injury reports were filed. The court is engaged in ongoing efforts to refine the quality of data reported, working with those who report the data to improve its quality. Data for previously reported calendar years is divided into subcolumns that illustrate how data changes over time as a result of late reporting and corrections (https://www.wcc.ne.gov/resources/court-forms-and-publications/statistical-reports).

NEWS RELEASE: Change in mileage reimbursement rate

Effective July 1, 2022, the mileage rate will become 62.5 cents per mile for travel to seek medical treatment or while participating in an approved vocational rehabilitation plan. See related news release. 

Historic mileage reimbursement rate information is available in the Tables of Maximum / Minimum Compensation Benefits, Burial Benefits, and Mileage Reimbursement Rates on the Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court’s “Benefits” web page.

Career Opportunity: Deputy Clerk [UPDATE: POSITION CLOSED]

The closing date for this position is June 13, 2022 (https://www.wcc.ne.gov/home/career-opportunities).

Career Opportunity: Vocational Rehabilitation Legal Assistant [UPDATE: POSITION CLOSED]

The closing date for this position has been extended to June 10, 2022 and the pay range has been increased (https://www.wcc.ne.gov/home/career-opportunities).

NEWS RELEASE: Liz Gianunzio Transitions to New Role; New Clerk of the Court Appointed

Effective June 1, 2022, Liz Gianunzio will transition from her role as Clerk of the Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court to that of Project Manager for a large-scale court modernization project. Kim Krzycki begins her new role as Clerk of the Court on that date. Select this link to read the news release.

NEWS RELEASE: Hastings Processing Plant Found Guilty of Criminal Violations of Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Act

On April 7, 2022, Noah’s Ark Processors LLC of Hastings, Nebraska, was found guilty on three criminal charges for failing to file required injury reports with the Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court. The criminal charges were brought by the Nebraska Attorney General pursuant to NEB. REV. STAT. § 48-144.04. Read the Attorney General’s news release here: https://ago.nebraska.gov/news/hastings-processing-plant-pleads-no-contest-violations-nebraska-workers-compensation-act.

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER: August 11, 2021 Administrative Order rescinded; mask guidance provided for appearances in the Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court

Select this link to read the Administrative Order issued 03/22/2022.

• In light of recent trends surrounding the spread of the novel coronavirus and the COVID-19 disease, the Administrative Order of the Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court dated August 11, 2021 is rescinded. The Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court will continue to follow and comply with the terms of the Administrative Order of the Supreme Court of Nebraska dated August 9, 2021.
• As a general rule, masks are not required to be worn by any attorney, party, witness, participant, or observer attending any trial or hearing in the Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court. However, this order does not prevent implementation of protective measures to prevent the transmission of illness in any hearing or trial of the Nebraska Workers Compensation Court.

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 non-adjudicatory Rules 63 and 64 are effective December 16, 2021. Amendments to non-adjudicatory Rule 26 are effective January 1, 2022. Amendments to adjudicatory Rules 2, 3, 9, 12, and 14 became effective February 23, 2022 following review and approval by the Nebraska Supreme Court.

Career Opportunities: Assistant Clerk and Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist [UPDATE: POSITIONS CLOSED]

Two positions are available (https://www.wcc.ne.gov/home/career-opportunities). 

1. Assistant Clerk
   
2. Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist

Recently Adopted Rule Amendments

The “Recently Adopted Rule Amendments” file shows amendments to rules adopted at recent public meetings on January 26, 2022 and December 16, 2021. Amendments to non-adjudicatory Rules 63 and 64 are effective December 16, 2021. Amendments to non-adjudicatory Rule 26 are effective January 1, 2022. Amendments to adjudicatory Rules 2, 3, 9, 12, and 14 will become effective upon review and approval by the Nebraska Supreme Court.

Schedule of Fees for Medical Services

The Schedule of Fees for Medical Services, effective January 1, 2022, may be downloaded from the Fee Schedules section of our website (https://www.wcc.ne.gov/service-providers/medical-providers/fee-schedules/medical-services-fee-schedule). 

Live video stream of January 26, 2022 Public Hearing and Public Meeting

Select this link to view a live video stream of the Public Hearing and Public Meeting. Please note this information is also available on the Public Hearing and Public Meeting section of our website (https://www.wcc.ne.gov/home/public-hearings-and-public-meetings).

2020 Bureau of Labor Statistics Reports for Nebraska

The 2020 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).