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As a result of the 2025 elections, both the Virginia House of Delegates and the Virginia Senate are controlled by a single party. In the House of Delegates, the Democratic Party holds 64 out of 100 seats, with the Senate having a much leaner lead with 21 out of 40 seats. The Gubernatorial seat has also flipped to Democratic so we anticipate there will be little resistance in passing bills and having them signed into law The Virginia legislature convened on January 14, 2026, and several bills have been proposed which would affect future Workers’ Compensation claims. In Virginia, bills...

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25th Annual Workers’ Compensation Seminar September 17, 2026 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM The Westin Richmond 6631 W Broad St, Richmond VA 23230     AGENDA COMING SOON Application for CEU approval will be submitted for: CCM, CDMS, CRC, National Nurse, FL Adjuster, NC Adjuster, GA Adjuster P&C, VA & MD Agent   3rd Annual General Liability  Pre-Conference Workshop September 16, 2026 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM The Westin Richmond 6631 W Broad St, Richmond VA 23230   AGENDA COMING SOON Application for CEU approval will be submitted for Adjuster and Agents.   Sponsorship Opportunities Available Please contact: Kimberly@FordRichardsonLaw.com

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On December 10, 2025, the Full Commission issued an Opinion affirming the denial of a workers’ compensation claim in which the claimant was injured after a near miss with a vehicle that ran into a safety bollard and onto the sidewalk outside of a Walmart store. Ullmann v. Wal-Mart Associates, Inc., VA00002140409 (Dec. 10, 2025). The Commission found this incident did not arise out of the claimant’s employment. In reaching its decision, the Commission emphasized Virginia’s adoption of the “actual risk doctrine” and its repeated refusal to adopt the “positional risk doctrine.” This decision reinforces a fundamental (but frequently misunderstood)...

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Here is a link to our Holiday video. We hope everyone has a great holiday season! Link: https://youtu.be/j4oH4IDqYgg

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Old Farmer’s Almanac predicts a colder-than-normal winter in Virginia this year, and while the opportunities for Virginians to dash merrily through fields of snow may be relatively few and far between (snowfall is predicted to be lower-than-average this year), icy streets, walkways, and parking lots are still a risk to be considered by both employers and employees. Ice-Related Accidents on Public Roadways While many employees now have the option of working remotely, driving to, from, and for work is still a necessity for much of the workforce. Consider an icy winter morning on which two Virginians are on their ways...

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You’re invited to join Ford Richardson for an insightful webinar discussion on a case that’s capturing national attention and its potential impact on Virginia law on Thursday, December 4, 2025 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM (EST) via Zoom. Implications to Workers’ Compensation and Liability Law Speakers: Scott C. Ford, Esq., Brian J. McNamara, Esq., Justin W. Ward, Esq. and Emily C. Pappas, Esq. Summary: This webinar will examine the circumstances and legal aftermath of the Virginia school teacher who was shot by her six-year-old student. This discussion will include an analysis of the recent $10 million dollar award and its...

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An 800-patient study conducted by Vertanical, a German drugmaker, showed an experimental medication made from marijuana successfully reduced back pain, offering further support for the drug’s potential in treating one of the most common forms of chronic pain. The new medication contains tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), but levels of the chemical are essentially a microdose compared to products sold at marijuana dispensaries in the United States. The results of the study provide an argument for an alternative to current drugs used to reduce pain. Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen, lack the ability for long term use given their side effects, which...

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In Virginia we are continuing to see a good number of Applications advanced by medical providers alleging medical reimbursement disputes. Many of these are involving prescription reimbursements. Just days ago, on August 7, 2025 the Full Commission released two Opinions related to medical provider fee disputes—Wil Hanson v. YMCA of South Hampton Roads, JCN: VA00000493234 (August 7, 2025) and Dyson v. Chesterfield County Public Schools, JCN: 1848504 (August 7, 2025). Both of these Opinions highlight some important strategies for employers and carriers to keep in mind with these cases. It appears to this author that the Commission remains frustrated with...

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In Virginia, the state constitution limits how long the General Assembly can be in session. Legislative sessions are limited to 60 days in even numbered years and 30 days in odd numbered years. After the legislative session ends, on the sixth Wednesday after adjournment, the General Assembly reconvenes for two purposes: to take final action on vetoed bills or bills with proposed amendments from the Governor, and to conclude work on the budget bill. The Constitution even specifies that in the reconvened session that other than returned bills and returned appropriations items and bills, “[n]o other business shall be considered…”...

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