A PHP Error was encountered

Severity: 8192

Message: Creation of dynamic property CI_URI::$config is deprecated

Filename: core/URI.php

Line Number: 101

Backtrace:

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/index.php
Line: 315
Function: require_once

A PHP Error was encountered

Severity: 8192

Message: Creation of dynamic property CI_Router::$uri is deprecated

Filename: core/Router.php

Line Number: 127

Backtrace:

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/index.php
Line: 315
Function: require_once

A PHP Error was encountered

Severity: 8192

Message: Creation of dynamic property Home::$benchmark is deprecated

Filename: core/Controller.php

Line Number: 82

Backtrace:

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/application/controllers/Home.php
Line: 7
Function: __construct

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/index.php
Line: 315
Function: require_once

A PHP Error was encountered

Severity: 8192

Message: Creation of dynamic property Home::$hooks is deprecated

Filename: core/Controller.php

Line Number: 82

Backtrace:

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/application/controllers/Home.php
Line: 7
Function: __construct

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/index.php
Line: 315
Function: require_once

A PHP Error was encountered

Severity: 8192

Message: Creation of dynamic property Home::$config is deprecated

Filename: core/Controller.php

Line Number: 82

Backtrace:

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/application/controllers/Home.php
Line: 7
Function: __construct

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/index.php
Line: 315
Function: require_once

A PHP Error was encountered

Severity: 8192

Message: Creation of dynamic property Home::$log is deprecated

Filename: core/Controller.php

Line Number: 82

Backtrace:

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/application/controllers/Home.php
Line: 7
Function: __construct

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/index.php
Line: 315
Function: require_once

A PHP Error was encountered

Severity: 8192

Message: Creation of dynamic property Home::$utf8 is deprecated

Filename: core/Controller.php

Line Number: 82

Backtrace:

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/application/controllers/Home.php
Line: 7
Function: __construct

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/index.php
Line: 315
Function: require_once

A PHP Error was encountered

Severity: 8192

Message: Creation of dynamic property Home::$uri is deprecated

Filename: core/Controller.php

Line Number: 82

Backtrace:

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/application/controllers/Home.php
Line: 7
Function: __construct

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/index.php
Line: 315
Function: require_once

A PHP Error was encountered

Severity: 8192

Message: Creation of dynamic property Home::$exceptions is deprecated

Filename: core/Controller.php

Line Number: 82

Backtrace:

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/application/controllers/Home.php
Line: 7
Function: __construct

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/index.php
Line: 315
Function: require_once

A PHP Error was encountered

Severity: 8192

Message: Creation of dynamic property Home::$router is deprecated

Filename: core/Controller.php

Line Number: 82

Backtrace:

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/application/controllers/Home.php
Line: 7
Function: __construct

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/index.php
Line: 315
Function: require_once

A PHP Error was encountered

Severity: 8192

Message: Creation of dynamic property Home::$output is deprecated

Filename: core/Controller.php

Line Number: 82

Backtrace:

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/application/controllers/Home.php
Line: 7
Function: __construct

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/index.php
Line: 315
Function: require_once

A PHP Error was encountered

Severity: 8192

Message: Creation of dynamic property Home::$security is deprecated

Filename: core/Controller.php

Line Number: 82

Backtrace:

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/application/controllers/Home.php
Line: 7
Function: __construct

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/index.php
Line: 315
Function: require_once

A PHP Error was encountered

Severity: 8192

Message: Creation of dynamic property Home::$input is deprecated

Filename: core/Controller.php

Line Number: 82

Backtrace:

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/application/controllers/Home.php
Line: 7
Function: __construct

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/index.php
Line: 315
Function: require_once

A PHP Error was encountered

Severity: 8192

Message: Creation of dynamic property Home::$lang is deprecated

Filename: core/Controller.php

Line Number: 82

Backtrace:

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/application/controllers/Home.php
Line: 7
Function: __construct

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/index.php
Line: 315
Function: require_once

A PHP Error was encountered

Severity: 8192

Message: Return type of CI_Session_files_driver::open($save_path, $name) should either be compatible with SessionHandlerInterface::open(string $path, string $name): bool, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice

Filename: drivers/Session_files_driver.php

Line Number: 132

Backtrace:

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/application/controllers/Home.php
Line: 7
Function: __construct

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/index.php
Line: 315
Function: require_once

A PHP Error was encountered

Severity: 8192

Message: Return type of CI_Session_files_driver::close() should either be compatible with SessionHandlerInterface::close(): bool, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice

Filename: drivers/Session_files_driver.php

Line Number: 294

Backtrace:

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/application/controllers/Home.php
Line: 7
Function: __construct

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/index.php
Line: 315
Function: require_once

A PHP Error was encountered

Severity: 8192

Message: Return type of CI_Session_files_driver::read($session_id) should either be compatible with SessionHandlerInterface::read(string $id): string|false, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice

Filename: drivers/Session_files_driver.php

Line Number: 168

Backtrace:

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/application/controllers/Home.php
Line: 7
Function: __construct

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/index.php
Line: 315
Function: require_once

A PHP Error was encountered

Severity: 8192

Message: Return type of CI_Session_files_driver::write($session_id, $session_data) should either be compatible with SessionHandlerInterface::write(string $id, string $data): bool, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice

Filename: drivers/Session_files_driver.php

Line Number: 237

Backtrace:

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/application/controllers/Home.php
Line: 7
Function: __construct

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/index.php
Line: 315
Function: require_once

A PHP Error was encountered

Severity: 8192

Message: Return type of CI_Session_files_driver::destroy($session_id) should either be compatible with SessionHandlerInterface::destroy(string $id): bool, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice

Filename: drivers/Session_files_driver.php

Line Number: 317

Backtrace:

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/application/controllers/Home.php
Line: 7
Function: __construct

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/index.php
Line: 315
Function: require_once

A PHP Error was encountered

Severity: 8192

Message: Return type of CI_Session_files_driver::gc($maxlifetime) should either be compatible with SessionHandlerInterface::gc(int $max_lifetime): int|false, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice

Filename: drivers/Session_files_driver.php

Line Number: 358

Backtrace:

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/application/controllers/Home.php
Line: 7
Function: __construct

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/index.php
Line: 315
Function: require_once

A PHP Error was encountered

Severity: Warning

Message: ini_set(): Session ini settings cannot be changed after headers have already been sent

Filename: Session/Session.php

Line Number: 282

Backtrace:

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/application/controllers/Home.php
Line: 7
Function: __construct

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/index.php
Line: 315
Function: require_once

A PHP Error was encountered

Severity: Warning

Message: session_set_cookie_params(): Session cookie parameters cannot be changed after headers have already been sent

Filename: Session/Session.php

Line Number: 289

Backtrace:

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/application/controllers/Home.php
Line: 7
Function: __construct

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/index.php
Line: 315
Function: require_once

A PHP Error was encountered

Severity: Warning

Message: ini_set(): Session ini settings cannot be changed after headers have already been sent

Filename: Session/Session.php

Line Number: 304

Backtrace:

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/application/controllers/Home.php
Line: 7
Function: __construct

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/index.php
Line: 315
Function: require_once

A PHP Error was encountered

Severity: Warning

Message: ini_set(): Session ini settings cannot be changed after headers have already been sent

Filename: Session/Session.php

Line Number: 314

Backtrace:

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/application/controllers/Home.php
Line: 7
Function: __construct

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/index.php
Line: 315
Function: require_once

A PHP Error was encountered

Severity: Warning

Message: ini_set(): Session ini settings cannot be changed after headers have already been sent

Filename: Session/Session.php

Line Number: 315

Backtrace:

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/application/controllers/Home.php
Line: 7
Function: __construct

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/index.php
Line: 315
Function: require_once

A PHP Error was encountered

Severity: Warning

Message: ini_set(): Session ini settings cannot be changed after headers have already been sent

Filename: Session/Session.php

Line Number: 316

Backtrace:

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/application/controllers/Home.php
Line: 7
Function: __construct

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/index.php
Line: 315
Function: require_once

A PHP Error was encountered

Severity: Warning

Message: ini_set(): Session ini settings cannot be changed after headers have already been sent

Filename: Session/Session.php

Line Number: 317

Backtrace:

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/application/controllers/Home.php
Line: 7
Function: __construct

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/index.php
Line: 315
Function: require_once

A PHP Error was encountered

Severity: Warning

Message: ini_set(): Session ini settings cannot be changed after headers have already been sent

Filename: Session/Session.php

Line Number: 375

Backtrace:

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/application/controllers/Home.php
Line: 7
Function: __construct

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/index.php
Line: 315
Function: require_once

A PHP Error was encountered

Severity: Warning

Message: session_set_save_handler(): Session save handler cannot be changed after headers have already been sent

Filename: Session/Session.php

Line Number: 110

Backtrace:

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/application/controllers/Home.php
Line: 7
Function: __construct

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/index.php
Line: 315
Function: require_once

A PHP Error was encountered

Severity: Warning

Message: session_start(): Session cannot be started after headers have already been sent

Filename: Session/Session.php

Line Number: 143

Backtrace:

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/application/controllers/Home.php
Line: 7
Function: __construct

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/index.php
Line: 315
Function: require_once

A PHP Error was encountered

Severity: 8192

Message: Creation of dynamic property Home::$session is deprecated

Filename: core/Loader.php

Line Number: 1283

Backtrace:

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/application/controllers/Home.php
Line: 7
Function: __construct

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/index.php
Line: 315
Function: require_once

A PHP Error was encountered

Severity: 8192

Message: Creation of dynamic property Home::$email is deprecated

Filename: core/Loader.php

Line Number: 1283

Backtrace:

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/application/controllers/Home.php
Line: 7
Function: __construct

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/index.php
Line: 315
Function: require_once

A PHP Error was encountered

Severity: 8192

Message: Creation of dynamic property Home::$pdf is deprecated

Filename: core/Loader.php

Line Number: 1283

Backtrace:

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/application/controllers/Home.php
Line: 7
Function: __construct

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/index.php
Line: 315
Function: require_once

A PHP Error was encountered

Severity: 8192

Message: Creation of dynamic property Home::$db is deprecated

Filename: core/Loader.php

Line Number: 396

Backtrace:

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/application/controllers/Home.php
Line: 8
Function: database

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/index.php
Line: 315
Function: require_once

A PHP Error was encountered

Severity: 8192

Message: Creation of dynamic property CI_DB_mysqli_driver::$failover is deprecated

Filename: database/DB_driver.php

Line Number: 371

Backtrace:

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/application/controllers/Home.php
Line: 8
Function: database

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/index.php
Line: 315
Function: require_once

A PHP Error was encountered

Severity: 8192

Message: Creation of dynamic property Home::$form_validation is deprecated

Filename: core/Loader.php

Line Number: 1283

Backtrace:

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/application/controllers/Home.php
Line: 9
Function: library

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/index.php
Line: 315
Function: require_once

A PHP Error was encountered

Severity: 8192

Message: Creation of dynamic property Home::$adminmodel is deprecated

Filename: core/Loader.php

Line Number: 358

Backtrace:

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/application/controllers/Home.php
Line: 10
Function: model

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/index.php
Line: 315
Function: require_once

A PHP Error was encountered

Severity: 8192

Message: Creation of dynamic property Home::$leadmodel is deprecated

Filename: core/Loader.php

Line Number: 358

Backtrace:

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/application/controllers/Home.php
Line: 12
Function: model

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/index.php
Line: 315
Function: require_once

A PHP Error was encountered

Severity: 8192

Message: Creation of dynamic property Home::$clientmodel is deprecated

Filename: core/Loader.php

Line Number: 358

Backtrace:

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/application/controllers/Home.php
Line: 13
Function: model

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/index.php
Line: 315
Function: require_once

A PHP Error was encountered

Severity: 8192

Message: Creation of dynamic property Home::$pagination is deprecated

Filename: core/Loader.php

Line Number: 1283

Backtrace:

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/application/models/Pagemodel.php
Line: 7
Function: library

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/application/controllers/Home.php
Line: 14
Function: model

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/index.php
Line: 315
Function: require_once

A PHP Error was encountered

Severity: 8192

Message: Creation of dynamic property Home::$pagemodel is deprecated

Filename: core/Loader.php

Line Number: 358

Backtrace:

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/application/controllers/Home.php
Line: 14
Function: model

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/index.php
Line: 315
Function: require_once

A PHP Error was encountered

Severity: 8192

Message: Creation of dynamic property CI_Loader::$load is deprecated

Filename: core/Loader.php

Line Number: 931

Backtrace:

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/application/controllers/Home.php
Line: 254
Function: view

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/index.php
Line: 315
Function: require_once

A PHP Error was encountered

Severity: 8192

Message: Creation of dynamic property CI_Loader::$benchmark is deprecated

Filename: core/Loader.php

Line Number: 931

Backtrace:

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/application/controllers/Home.php
Line: 254
Function: view

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/index.php
Line: 315
Function: require_once

A PHP Error was encountered

Severity: 8192

Message: Creation of dynamic property CI_Loader::$hooks is deprecated

Filename: core/Loader.php

Line Number: 931

Backtrace:

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/application/controllers/Home.php
Line: 254
Function: view

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/index.php
Line: 315
Function: require_once

A PHP Error was encountered

Severity: 8192

Message: Creation of dynamic property CI_Loader::$config is deprecated

Filename: core/Loader.php

Line Number: 931

Backtrace:

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/application/controllers/Home.php
Line: 254
Function: view

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/index.php
Line: 315
Function: require_once

A PHP Error was encountered

Severity: 8192

Message: Creation of dynamic property CI_Loader::$log is deprecated

Filename: core/Loader.php

Line Number: 931

Backtrace:

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/application/controllers/Home.php
Line: 254
Function: view

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/index.php
Line: 315
Function: require_once

A PHP Error was encountered

Severity: 8192

Message: Creation of dynamic property CI_Loader::$utf8 is deprecated

Filename: core/Loader.php

Line Number: 931

Backtrace:

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/application/controllers/Home.php
Line: 254
Function: view

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/index.php
Line: 315
Function: require_once

A PHP Error was encountered

Severity: 8192

Message: Creation of dynamic property CI_Loader::$uri is deprecated

Filename: core/Loader.php

Line Number: 931

Backtrace:

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/application/controllers/Home.php
Line: 254
Function: view

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/index.php
Line: 315
Function: require_once

A PHP Error was encountered

Severity: 8192

Message: Creation of dynamic property CI_Loader::$exceptions is deprecated

Filename: core/Loader.php

Line Number: 931

Backtrace:

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/application/controllers/Home.php
Line: 254
Function: view

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/index.php
Line: 315
Function: require_once

A PHP Error was encountered

Severity: 8192

Message: Creation of dynamic property CI_Loader::$router is deprecated

Filename: core/Loader.php

Line Number: 931

Backtrace:

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/application/controllers/Home.php
Line: 254
Function: view

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/index.php
Line: 315
Function: require_once

A PHP Error was encountered

Severity: 8192

Message: Creation of dynamic property CI_Loader::$output is deprecated

Filename: core/Loader.php

Line Number: 931

Backtrace:

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/application/controllers/Home.php
Line: 254
Function: view

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/index.php
Line: 315
Function: require_once

A PHP Error was encountered

Severity: 8192

Message: Creation of dynamic property CI_Loader::$security is deprecated

Filename: core/Loader.php

Line Number: 931

Backtrace:

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/application/controllers/Home.php
Line: 254
Function: view

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/index.php
Line: 315
Function: require_once

A PHP Error was encountered

Severity: 8192

Message: Creation of dynamic property CI_Loader::$input is deprecated

Filename: core/Loader.php

Line Number: 931

Backtrace:

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/application/controllers/Home.php
Line: 254
Function: view

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/index.php
Line: 315
Function: require_once

A PHP Error was encountered

Severity: 8192

Message: Creation of dynamic property CI_Loader::$lang is deprecated

Filename: core/Loader.php

Line Number: 931

Backtrace:

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/application/controllers/Home.php
Line: 254
Function: view

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/index.php
Line: 315
Function: require_once

A PHP Error was encountered

Severity: 8192

Message: Creation of dynamic property CI_Loader::$session is deprecated

Filename: core/Loader.php

Line Number: 931

Backtrace:

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/application/controllers/Home.php
Line: 254
Function: view

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/index.php
Line: 315
Function: require_once

A PHP Error was encountered

Severity: 8192

Message: Creation of dynamic property CI_Loader::$email is deprecated

Filename: core/Loader.php

Line Number: 931

Backtrace:

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/application/controllers/Home.php
Line: 254
Function: view

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/index.php
Line: 315
Function: require_once

A PHP Error was encountered

Severity: 8192

Message: Creation of dynamic property CI_Loader::$pdf is deprecated

Filename: core/Loader.php

Line Number: 931

Backtrace:

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/application/controllers/Home.php
Line: 254
Function: view

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/index.php
Line: 315
Function: require_once

A PHP Error was encountered

Severity: 8192

Message: Creation of dynamic property CI_Loader::$db is deprecated

Filename: core/Loader.php

Line Number: 931

Backtrace:

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/application/controllers/Home.php
Line: 254
Function: view

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/index.php
Line: 315
Function: require_once

A PHP Error was encountered

Severity: 8192

Message: Creation of dynamic property CI_Loader::$form_validation is deprecated

Filename: core/Loader.php

Line Number: 931

Backtrace:

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/application/controllers/Home.php
Line: 254
Function: view

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/index.php
Line: 315
Function: require_once

A PHP Error was encountered

Severity: 8192

Message: Creation of dynamic property CI_Loader::$adminmodel is deprecated

Filename: core/Loader.php

Line Number: 931

Backtrace:

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/application/controllers/Home.php
Line: 254
Function: view

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/index.php
Line: 315
Function: require_once

A PHP Error was encountered

Severity: 8192

Message: Creation of dynamic property CI_Loader::$leadmodel is deprecated

Filename: core/Loader.php

Line Number: 931

Backtrace:

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/application/controllers/Home.php
Line: 254
Function: view

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/index.php
Line: 315
Function: require_once

A PHP Error was encountered

Severity: 8192

Message: Creation of dynamic property CI_Loader::$clientmodel is deprecated

Filename: core/Loader.php

Line Number: 931

Backtrace:

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/application/controllers/Home.php
Line: 254
Function: view

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/index.php
Line: 315
Function: require_once

A PHP Error was encountered

Severity: 8192

Message: Creation of dynamic property CI_Loader::$pagination is deprecated

Filename: core/Loader.php

Line Number: 931

Backtrace:

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/application/controllers/Home.php
Line: 254
Function: view

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/index.php
Line: 315
Function: require_once

A PHP Error was encountered

Severity: 8192

Message: Creation of dynamic property CI_Loader::$pagemodel is deprecated

Filename: core/Loader.php

Line Number: 931

Backtrace:

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/application/controllers/Home.php
Line: 254
Function: view

File: /home/agentsof/public_html/index.php
Line: 315
Function: require_once

Avoiding Liability for Work-Related Injuries to Undocumented Workers

Avoiding Liability for Work-Related Injuries to Undocumented Workers

By Amy Peck, Esq. of Jackson Lewis, LLP

Employers are well aware that just one work-related accident or illness can result in medical expenses, rehabilitation services, and liability compensation. A recent Nebraska Supreme Court decision is a reminder that undocumented aliens, as well as legal workers, may bring workers’ compensation claims. In Moyera v. Quality Pork Int’l, 284 Neb. 963 (Jan. 4, 2013), the Nebraska Supreme Court held that the Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Act applies to undocumented aliens and these employees could be entitled to permanent total disability benefits (“PTD benefits”) for work-related injuries. Courts in other states also have found that undocumented employees are covered by their state workers’ compensation systems, including: (1) Florida, (2) Kansas, (3) Kentucky, (4) Maryland, (5) New Jersey, (6) North Carolina, (7) Ohio, (8) Oklahoma, and (9) Pennsylvania. Such liability can be avoided by carefully managing the hiring process to ensure that you do not employ aliens who are not authorized to work.

 

In Moyera v. Quality Pork Int’l, Ricardo Moyera was injured in an accident arising out of the course and scope of his employment with Quality Pork International (QPI). Moyera was not a legal U.S. resident and could not speak English. He purchased illegal papers to obtain employment in the United States. While working for QPI, Moyera sustained permanent injuries to his foot when a forklift ran over it. Moyera was given a permanency rating and was able to return to work at QPI in a light duty capacity. Shortly thereafter, QPI conducted an audit of all employment files and determined that Moyera did not have proper immigration documents. Moyera was terminated from QPI after he was unable to produce proper documentation showing that he could work legally in the United States. Following his termination, Moyera underwent a functional capacity evaluation, which placed him in the sedentary work category, and gave him a 20% permanent whole body impairment rating.

 

A rehabilitation consultant later completed a loss-of-earning-capacity analysis for Moyera. The consultant concluded, “[B]ecause of [Moyera’s] permanent restrictions and his inability to speak English … he was not competitively employable and had experienced a 100-percent loss of earning capacity.”

 

Despite the employer’s argument that benefits for permanent loss of earning power should be barred for undocumented workers because these benefits depend on an employee’s ability to obtain lawful employment in the United States, the Nebraska Supreme Court held that undocumented aliens qualify for permanent total disability benefits. The Court favorably cited cases from other jurisdictions finding employers liable in similar circumstances. It reasoned, “[E]xcluding undocumented workers from receiving disability benefits creates a financial incentive for employers to continue hiring them, in contravention of federal law. Furthermore, allowing an employer to escape liability for the work-related injuries that its undocumented employees sustain gives the employer an unfair advantage relative to competitors who follow the law.”

 

The Court also recognized public policy issues concerning undocumented aliens receiving PTD benefits. The Court found persuasive authority from other jurisdictions and held, “[C]ourts have also raised significant policy concerns. They have concluded that workers’ compensation laws reflect a policy choice that employers bear the costs of their employees’ work-related injuries because they are in the best position to avoid the risk of loss by improving workplace safety. We agree that public policy weighs against allowing employers to avoid the costs of their workplace hazards.”

 

Practical Tips for Employers

 

As the Nebraska Supreme Court makes clear, all employees of a Nebraska employer covered by the Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Act are eligible for benefits if injured in the course and scope of their employment, regardless of their eligibility to obtain lawful employment in the United States. From a compliance standpoint, employers can avoid potential liability for PTD benefits for work-related injuries with an I-9 compliance audit accompanied by training initiatives aimed at preventing the hiring of employees who do not possess lawful work authorization and audits of records. Such initiatives should be undertaken with the assistance of competent legal counsel experienced in immigration compliance. Jackson Lewis attorneys are available to assist employers with these immigration compliance issues and other workplace requirements.

 

For more information, please contact Amy Peck in the Omaha Office, at (402) 391-1991 or Amy.Peck@jacksonlewis.com, or the Jackson Lewis attorney with whom you regularly work. 

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