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With just days remaining in a special session, state lawmakers were at odds over whether to include lump-sum settlements in the workers' comp system. Members of the state Senate had approved the idea while the House favored other ways to curb costs.

"My feeling is that physician dispensing should be entirely eliminated, either by state regulation and/or by workers' comp payers requiring that contracted physicians -- directly or via networks -- agree not to dispense medications at all," said Dr. Jacob Lazarovic. The senior vice president and chief medical officer for third-party administrator Broadspire commented following the adoption of legislation in Florida.

North Carolina has had no limit on the amount of time injured workers may receive benefits. A proposal being considered would limit temporary total disability benefits to 500 weeks -- or just shy of 10 years.

State lawmakers were unable to reach agreement on what to do about the soon-to-be-insolvent Second Injury Fund. The 2011 legislative session came and went with the fund on the brink of insolvency, according to Attorney General Chris Koster.

A new rule is aimed at preventing more than 300 injuries annually in shipyards. OSHA said the final rule covers all employers with employees engaged in shipbuilding, ship repair, or shipbreaking and will apply on vessels, vessel sections, and at landside operations.

Conventional wisdom says that older workers cost more to the workers' comp system. If that's the case, then 35 may be the new 55.

After hearing directly from businesses, OSHA is reopening the public record on a proposed controversial rule. It would revise the Occupational Injury and Illness Recording and Reporting Requirements regulation to better track cases of work-related musculoskeletal disorders.

Gov. Pat Quinn's request for the Legislature to pass workers' comp reform legislation by mid-April did not happen. Still, many were holding out hope that there would be agreement on something before lawmakers went home.

The Division of Workers' Compensation adopted new regulations for standardized paper billing forms and electronic billing standards.

Buccal Fentanyl is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for musculoskeletal injuries. Yet, a new study shows it's being prescribed for dozens of injured workers with minor back pain in California.

The Division of Workers' Compensation announces the surcharge on premiums will not change.

With the summer months approaching, two federal agencies are teaming up to educate employers and workers on the dangers of working in the heat.

The Division of Workers' Compensation issued an informational letter announcing a cost-of-living increase.

"Frequency is up, there's no doubt about it," said National Council on Compensation Insurance's chief actuary. "The good news for the last 20 years may have come to a halt."

A task force of the International Association of Industrial Accident Boards and Commissions is offering its expertise to help modify error messages from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. That's one of the suggestions the panel offered to help improve technical obstacles in reporting requirements.