Category Archives: Workers’ Comp

Work comp law changes increase attorney fees

Posted on August 16, 2025 by merilee

It has been quite a while since New Mexico has done anything substantive to make life better for injured workers covered by the workers’ compensation system. Instead, we’re making it easier for them to hire lawyers. Three different actions, a … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Workers' Comp | Leave a comment

Workers’ comp task force was a model for future legislation

Posted on May 20, 2025 by merilee

In 1990, Raymond Sanchez took on the trial lawyers and won. Yes, that Raymond Sanchez. At the time he was Speaker of the House. Supporting that effort was none other than Marty Chavez. Yes, that Marty Chavez. Chavez was then … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Governance, Workers' Comp | Leave a comment

Saving workers’ comp

Posted on March 24, 2025 by merilee

November 2021, re-edited May 2022 and July 2024 by Merilee Dannemann, for the New Mexico legislature. This document is written and distributed solely by me and reflects only my individual viewpoint. New Mexico’s workers’ compensation system is suffering from memory … Continue reading →

Posted in Workers' Comp | Leave a comment

A workers’ comp bill for lawyers

Posted on February 26, 2025 by merilee

House Bill 66 should have been a simple little bill that could have passed with little effort and no controversy. Instead, somebody threw in a zinger. The somebody was, no doubt, the trial lawyers. Actually there were two zingers but … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Workers' Comp | Leave a comment

Workers’ comp legislation will help the lawyers

Posted on November 17, 2024 by merilee

In the 2025 legislative session, we will probably have a bill to increase the cap on attorney fees in workers’ compensation cases. It probably will pass. This is mixed news, a little good, a little bad. Our workers’ comp system … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Workers' Comp | Leave a comment

Regulations must consider the smallest businesses

Posted on July 14, 2024 by merilee

The man was said to be the only electrician in Mora, and my agency forced him out of business. This was around 20 years ago. I learned about it in a staff meeting. The assistant general counsel who told us … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Workers' Comp | Leave a comment

A medical cost you didn’t know about

Posted on May 20, 2024 by merilee

Most of us have never heard of independent medical examinations. We might need to know a little more about them. An independent medical examination (IME) is an exam performed when there is litigation related to a sick or injured person’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Workers' Comp | Leave a comment

Medical leave might not work for ranches

Posted on March 13, 2024 by merilee

Do you think there is workers’ comp insurance coverage on the Yellowstone Ranch? What about paid family and medical leave? The fictional Yellowstone Ranch is the spectacular starring location of the “Yellowstone”TV series, now running on CBS after first being … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Workers' Comp | Leave a comment

Family leave bills are not quite ready

Posted on March 13, 2024 by merilee

If you get injured at work and need time off for your injury, you are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits that compensate you for most of your lost wages. What if the legislature passes the bill to provide paid family … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Workers' Comp | Leave a comment

A great New Mexican named Jeep

Posted on January 19, 2023 by merilee

Everybody knew Jeep. At least, everybody in organized labor in New Mexico. And almost everybody in the web of multilayered relationships that is the political and policy community of our state. George “Jeep” Gilliland died a few weeks ago and … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Workers' Comp | Leave a comment