Category Archives: Firm News

Partner Jon Rehm To Moderate Panel At American Association Of Justice’s Annual Convention

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Rehm Bennett and Moore partner, Jon Rehm, will be moderating the Workers Compensation and Workplace Injury Section Continuing Legal Education (CLE) program on July 23rd  at the upcoming American Association of Justice (AAJ) Annual Convention in BostonRehm served as chair of the AAJ Workers’ Compensation and Workplace Section for 2016-2017.

“A national CLE for workers compensation can be difficult to organize because workers’ compensation laws are so state specific. But there are some trends that effect all practitioners and federal laws that impact the workers’ compensation practice that you can and should discuss at a national level,” Rehm said.

“ I appreciate the support of the firm in being able to serve AAJ in this capacity. I am also thankful to AAJ staff for their help in organizing the CLE. I would also like that thank my colleagues Robert Riojas, Deb Kohl and Aida Carini for taking the time to write papers and present on the CLE.”

“I also appreciate the help of the other members of the Executive Committee throughout the year.”

AAJ is the largest plaintiff’s lawyer organization in the United States with roughly 20,000 members. AAJ represents the interests of plaintiff’s lawyers and their clients on a national level.

The offices of Rehm, Bennett, Moore & Rehm, which also sponsors the Trucker Lawyers website, are located in Lincoln and Omaha, Nebraska. Five attorneys represent plaintiffs in workers’ compensation, personal injury, employment and Social Security disability claims. The firm’s lawyers have combined experience of more than 95 years of practice representing injured workers and truck drivers in Nebraska, Iowa and other states with Nebraska and Iowa jurisdiction. The lawyers regularly represent hurt truck drivers and often sue Crete Carrier Corporation, K&B Trucking, Werner Enterprises, UPS, and FedEx. Lawyers in the firm hold licenses in Nebraska and Iowa and are active in groups such as the College of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers, Workers' Injury Law & Advocacy Group (WILG), American Association for Justice (AAJ), the Nebraska Association of Trial Attorneys (NATA), and the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). We have the knowledge, experience and toughness to win rightful compensation for people who have been injured or mistreated.

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Firm Attorneys To Speak At Nebraska Association of Trial Attorneys Workers Compensation Seminar

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Rod Rehm, Jon Rehm and Brody Ockander will be presenting at the Nebraska Association of Trial Attorneys Workers Compensation Seminar on Friday April 21st in Omaha. Here are short summaries of what each lawyer will present about:

Brody Ockander

My topic will focus on working with non-English speaking clients. As we all know, non-English speaking immigrants come to this country for many different reasons, but the vast majority end up in labor jobs: jobs that cause work comp injuries. Personally, I have represented clients from over 20 countries; in Nebraska we have a surprising number of immigrants and refugees who relocate to Nebraska for plentiful jobs and cheap housing.

As a result of this melting-pot of injured workers, my seminar presentation will focus on the Ethics of representing non-English speaking clients. Specifically, I will explain what lawyers should do when a non-English speaking client contacts the lawyer; what issues may arise during litigation; and how to handle non-English speaking clients and interpreters during legal proceedings.

I recently wrote a post about immigration status and workers compensation. You can read that post here.

Jon Rehm 

I will present on opioids in workers’ compensation. I plan on spending some time discussing opioid addiction as a work-related medical condition and some of the factual and legal challenges that come with opioid use in a workers’ compensation case. I will also address digestive and bowel issues that arise with opioid use and how those injuries can be covered by workers’ compensation.

Opioid addiction is a major public health and even political issue. Drug formularies are being pushed as a way to combat addiction by reducing the prescription of opioids in workers’ compensation cases. I plan on discussing why drug formularies should raise serious concerns not just from doctors, but from employees and employers.  You can read my blog posts about formularies here, here and here.

Rod Rehm

Rod Rehm will be presenting on the topic of deposition preparation for plaintiffs in workers’ compensation cases. Rod is a Fellow in the College of Workers’ Compensation and has prepared hundreds of injured workers for their depositions in his long legal career. Earlier in his career Rod worked both as a prosecutor and criminal defense lawyer so he can draw on 40 plus years of litigation experience when it comes to witness preparation.

The offices of Rehm, Bennett, Moore & Rehm, which also sponsors the Trucker Lawyers website, are located in Lincoln and Omaha, Nebraska. Five attorneys represent plaintiffs in workers’ compensation, personal injury, employment and Social Security disability claims. The firm’s lawyers have combined experience of more than 95 years of practice representing injured workers and truck drivers in Nebraska, Iowa and other states with Nebraska and Iowa jurisdiction. The lawyers regularly represent hurt truck drivers and often sue Crete Carrier Corporation, K&B Trucking, Werner Enterprises, UPS, and FedEx. Lawyers in the firm hold licenses in Nebraska and Iowa and are active in groups such as the College of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers, Workers' Injury Law & Advocacy Group (WILG), American Association for Justice (AAJ), the Nebraska Association of Trial Attorneys (NATA), and the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). We have the knowledge, experience and toughness to win rightful compensation for people who have been injured or mistreated.

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Take Care, and Enjoy the Upcoming Holidays

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It’s the holiday season! Happy wishes are extended to you and yours, now and into the new year of 2017.

The offices of Rehm, Bennett & Moore and Trucker Lawyers will close at 4:30 p.m. Central on Thursday, Dec. 22, and remain closed on Friday, Dec. 23, and Monday, Dec. 26, for Christmas. We will open again on Tuesday, Dec. 27, at 8:30 a.m.

In addition, the offices will close at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 29, and remain closed on Friday, Dec. 30, and Monday, Jan. 2, for New Year’s Day. We will open again on Tuesday, Jan. 3, at 8:30 a.m. Central.

Special thanks are extended to those who are working hard to keep all people safe and comfortable, often sacrificing those ideals themselves during this holiday time and the whole year. They are away from loved ones now and at other times of the year. These hard workers include truck drivers, first responders, nurses, retail workers and those in other occupations who can’t be with their loved ones because they are serving the public and keeping us safe.

We hope that this holiday season brings peace to so many who are hurting and hurt. May each of you have the opportunity to visit with loved ones who are held dear and take the time to appreciate those relationships with friends and family.

It is also hoped that we can be mindful through our joy and celebrations to reach out to those who are alone or sad but also respect those who want or need to be alone. And in this season of merriment, let’s appreciate our comfortable lives and good health and strive to help those who go without.

Be safe. As hard as it is to think about workplace tragedies and personal-injury accidents during the rest of the year, they are even sadder during the holiday season. Know that your loved ones need you, whether friends or family, and whether near or far.

We are thankful for so much, and at this time of reflection, we are especially thankful for family, friends, and the opportunity to advocate for clients who make our work worthwhile.

Take care traveling wherever you’re headed. Please take the time needed and use common sense to get to your destination safely. Safety at home and safe travels are wished for all your celebrations. It’s hoped that all know happiness this holiday season and throughout the coming year.

Regardless of your plans, take care and enjoy the holidays. Here’s hoping that 2017 is filled with all good things for all people, near and far.

The offices of Rehm, Bennett, Moore & Rehm, which also sponsors the Trucker Lawyers website, are located in Lincoln and Omaha, Nebraska. Five attorneys represent plaintiffs in workers’ compensation, personal injury, employment and Social Security disability claims. The firm’s lawyers have combined experience of more than 95 years of practice representing injured workers and truck drivers in Nebraska, Iowa and other states with Nebraska and Iowa jurisdiction. The lawyers regularly represent hurt truck drivers and often sue Crete Carrier Corporation, K&B Trucking, Werner Enterprises, UPS, and FedEx. Lawyers in the firm hold licenses in Nebraska and Iowa and are active in groups such as the College of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers, Workers' Injury Law & Advocacy Group (WILG), American Association for Justice (AAJ), the Nebraska Association of Trial Attorneys (NATA), and the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). We have the knowledge, experience and toughness to win rightful compensation for people who have been injured or mistreated.

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Happy Thanksgiving! Wishing You and Yours a Safe Holiday

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Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours. The office of Rehm, Bennett & Moore, P.C., L.L.O. and Trucker Lawyers will close at 3:30 p.m. today. We will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 24, and Friday, Nov. 25, for the Thanksgiving holiday. We will open again on Monday, Nov. 28, at 8:30 a.m.

Whether traveling, working, cooking for loved ones, or playing a post-feast football game with those loved ones, please have a safe and enjoyable holiday. Special thanks go to the people (and the sacrifices that their loved ones make to share them) who will be busy taking care of others by working this Thanksgiving: first responders, health care workers, truck drivers, and those who have retail jobs at stores open on Thanksgiving or prepping for Black Friday. In addition, all of the businesses that choose to be closed for Thanksgiving are appreciated, as are companies that get their drivers home to be with loved ones for the holiday.

If you plan to do some shopping on Black Friday, please take note of this OSHA FactSheet resource regarding crowd management safety guidelines from the U.S. Labor Department.

We are thankful for so much. At this time of thanksgiving, we are especially thankful for family, friends, and the opportunity to advocate for clients who make our work worthwhile. Happy Thanksgiving!

The offices of Rehm, Bennett, Moore & Rehm, which also sponsors the Trucker Lawyers website, are located in Lincoln and Omaha, Nebraska. Five attorneys represent plaintiffs in workers’ compensation, personal injury, employment and Social Security disability claims. The firm’s lawyers have combined experience of more than 95 years of practice representing injured workers and truck drivers in Nebraska, Iowa and other states with Nebraska and Iowa jurisdiction. The lawyers regularly represent hurt truck drivers and often sue Crete Carrier Corporation, K&B Trucking, Werner Enterprises, UPS, and FedEx. Lawyers in the firm hold licenses in Nebraska and Iowa and are active in groups such as the College of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers, Workers' Injury Law & Advocacy Group (WILG), American Association for Justice (AAJ), the Nebraska Association of Trial Attorneys (NATA), and the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). We have the knowledge, experience and toughness to win rightful compensation for people who have been injured or mistreated.

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Celebrate Kids’ Chance Awareness Week through Involvement

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kids-chance-of-nebraskaKids’ Chance Awareness Week is going on right now. Nebraska and 35 other states have organizations that provide postsecondary and trade-school scholarships to the children of workers who have been severely or fatally injured in a workplace accident.

As a founder of Kids’ Chance of Nebraska, along with Lincoln lawyer Dallas Jones, I am pleased to celebrate this week by announcing that five students have received scholarships this year through the nonprofit statewide organization. Two of the five students are repeat scholarship winners!

This excellent website tells the important stories of students nationwide who have benefited from scholarships, so I encourage you to take the time to click on the Faces of Kids’ Chance. Then, if so moved, feel free to support Kids’ Chance of Nebraska by attending the upcoming bowling event on Jan. 23, 2017, or donating funds to go toward scholarships through the KCNE website.

The employees at Rehm, Bennett & Moore and Trucker Lawyers will continue to support Kids’ Chance of Nebraska with our time and donations.

A major way that Kids’ Chance helps students is with the Planning for College Initiative. This program is designed to reach potential scholarship applicants, regardless of their age. We collect and maintain contact information for identified students and communicate with them when the time comes to start considering college. Awareness Week is pivotal in helping us identify these students. If you or someone you know is eligible for a Kids’ Chance scholarship, please visit Planning for College and submit a form.

We believe that investing in the educational future of children affected by a familial workplace injury will make a difference in their lives and subsequently help the lives of others. Although Kids’ Chance reaches hundreds of students each year across our 36 state organizations, we know that there are more students in need of assistance. Awareness Week will help us extend our reach and identify more students. We are all focused on this guiding principle: More money for more kids!

The mission of Kids’ Chance of Nebraska is to provide scholarships to children of workers who have been injured or killed on the job. Collectively, we have awarded 5,593 scholarships across the country, totaling over $16,592,000 in 36 states. For more information, please visit the Nebraska website at Kids Chance of Nebraska and the national website at Kids Chance of America

The offices of Rehm, Bennett, Moore & Rehm, which also sponsors the Trucker Lawyers website, are located in Lincoln and Omaha, Nebraska. Five attorneys represent plaintiffs in workers’ compensation, personal injury, employment and Social Security disability claims. The firm’s lawyers have combined experience of more than 95 years of practice representing injured workers and truck drivers in Nebraska, Iowa and other states with Nebraska and Iowa jurisdiction. The lawyers regularly represent hurt truck drivers and often sue Crete Carrier Corporation, K&B Trucking, Werner Enterprises, UPS, and FedEx. Lawyers in the firm hold licenses in Nebraska and Iowa and are active in groups such as the College of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers, Workers' Injury Law & Advocacy Group (WILG), American Association for Justice (AAJ), the Nebraska Association of Trial Attorneys (NATA), and the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). We have the knowledge, experience and toughness to win rightful compensation for people who have been injured or mistreated.

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Jon Rehm to Speak on Retaliation at NSBA Seminar on Friday

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Shareholder Jon Rehm will present on whistleblower and retaliation law

Firm shareholder Jon Rehm will present on whistleblower and retaliation law to about 40 other employment lawyers at the annual Nebraska State Bar Association’s annual Labor and Employment Law Seminar. Rehm will present on this topic with Mark Fahleson, a prominent and respected employment defense attorney.

“Preparing for this seminar has crystallized for me the importance of employees acting as soon as possible if they think they have been retaliated against in the workplace. The Nebraska Fair Employment Practices Act provides strong protections against retaliation, but employees need to act promptly to pursue those rights,” Rehm said. “Nebraska law favors employees who file a complaint in court or with the Nebraska Equal Opportunity Commission within 300 days of when they were fired or forced to quit.

“The main reason that you want to file a retaliation compliant or charge within 300 days is that an employee can be awarded attorney fees and front pay if they can bring a retaliation complaint under the Nebraska Fair Employment Practices Act.”

However, employees who fail to file a charge or complaint within 300 days may have a legal way to address retaliation as well.

“Nebraska courts have held that certain activities, like filing a workers’ compensation claim or opposing some criminal activities, give employees the right to sue their employer for wrongful termination. This is called the public policy exception to employment at will. These cases have a four-year statute of limitations. You can’t win attorney fees or front pay in these cases, but you can win emotional distress damages and economic damages as well. “

Though the public policy exception cases may not allow employees to collect as much in damages, sometimes they are the only remedy available for a worker, Rehm said.

“The Nebraska Fair Employment Practices Act only applies to employers with more than 15 employees. So if you work for a small employer, you can’t bring a case under that act, but you can bring it under the public policy exception. The Nebraska Fair Employment Practices Act also only applies if you oppose the illegal or unlawful conduct of your employer, not your co-workers. Under the public policy exception, you can actually bring a case for opposing the illegal or unlawful conduct of your co-workers.

“The other lesson that became evident for me in preparing for this presentation is how retaliation can seem straightforward on the surface but can be incredibly complicated. Preparing for this seminar has given me the chance to reflect on over 10 years of representing employees in retaliation cases.”

The offices of Rehm, Bennett, Moore & Rehm, which also sponsors the Trucker Lawyers website, are located in Lincoln and Omaha, Nebraska. Five attorneys represent plaintiffs in workers’ compensation, personal injury, employment and Social Security disability claims. The firm’s lawyers have combined experience of more than 95 years of practice representing injured workers and truck drivers in Nebraska, Iowa and other states with Nebraska and Iowa jurisdiction. The lawyers regularly represent hurt truck drivers and often sue Crete Carrier Corporation, K&B Trucking, Werner Enterprises, UPS, and FedEx. Lawyers in the firm hold licenses in Nebraska and Iowa and are active in groups such as the College of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers, Workers' Injury Law & Advocacy Group (WILG), American Association for Justice (AAJ), the Nebraska Association of Trial Attorneys (NATA), and the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). We have the knowledge, experience and toughness to win rightful compensation for people who have been injured or mistreated.

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Brody Ockander Speaks at Nebraska Association of Trial Attorneys Seminar

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Brody Ockander

Lawyer Brody Ockander was recently one of the featured speakers at the Nebraska Association of Trial Attorneys (NATA) seminar titled “Nuts and Bolts of Trial.”

His presentation taught over 50 fellow lawyers who attended about the “Ethical Implications of Representation and Fee Sharing Agreements.”

This presentation provided Brody with an excellent opportunity to share his knowledge with other Nebraska lawyers. These seminars are important to the legal profession when continuing to receive updated legal education, a requirement for all licensed attorneys in Nebraska.

I regularly encourage the firm’s attorneys and staff members to participate in continuing education and networking opportunities through professional associations and other occasions, serving as both presenters and lifelong learners.

Thank you to Brody for representing the firm as a presenter to this group. Congratulations for being asked to speak. We are proud of you!

NATA is dedicated to the improvement of the trial practice and preservation of our civil justice system. The Association provides quality continuing legal education. It is active in the legislative process that impacts upon justice in Nebraska. Membership in NATA  is open to all lawyers and law students. All the lawyers at the office of Rehm, Bennett & Moore, P.C., L.L.O., are members of NATA. Firm owner Rod Rehm is a past president and currently serves on the Board of Directors. Firm shareholders Todd Bennett and Jon Rehm are also members of the Board of Directors.

The offices of Rehm, Bennett, Moore & Rehm, which also sponsors the Trucker Lawyers website, are located in Lincoln and Omaha, Nebraska. Five attorneys represent plaintiffs in workers’ compensation, personal injury, employment and Social Security disability claims. The firm’s lawyers have combined experience of more than 95 years of practice representing injured workers and truck drivers in Nebraska, Iowa and other states with Nebraska and Iowa jurisdiction. The lawyers regularly represent hurt truck drivers and often sue Crete Carrier Corporation, K&B Trucking, Werner Enterprises, UPS, and FedEx. Lawyers in the firm hold licenses in Nebraska and Iowa and are active in groups such as the College of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers, Workers' Injury Law & Advocacy Group (WILG), American Association for Justice (AAJ), the Nebraska Association of Trial Attorneys (NATA), and the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). We have the knowledge, experience and toughness to win rightful compensation for people who have been injured or mistreated.

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Scholarships to Support Injured Workers’ Children Available from Kids’ Chance of Nebraska

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Kids’ Chance of Nebraska is an excellent charitable organization that we at Rehm, Bennett & Moore and Trucker Lawyers are very pleased to support with our time, talents and treasures.I approached Lincoln attorney Dallas Jones about the Kids’ Chance of America’s mission, and we founded the Nebraska group in 2013. It’s very rewarding to report that the first two $5,000 scholarships were awarded to deserving young people in 2015. The news release below from Don Terry, president of the organization’s Board of Directors, shares information about how people or their loved ones can apply for one of the 2016 scholarships that are available. If you know someone whom you think meets the eligibility requirements or might be interested in finding out more details, please strongly encourage her or him to do so. Have a safe and productive week.

For the second year in a row, Kids’ Chance of Nebraska will be offering scholarships to the children of Nebraska workers who have been severely or fatally injured in a workplace accident. The children of these workers often lose opportunities for secondary education.

Kids’ Chance of Nebraska is a 501(c)3 organization raising funds for educational opportunities for these children to pursue their education, reach their goals, and fulfill their dreams for the future. It is the goal of Kids’ Chance of Nebraska to make a difference in the lives of these children by providing these scholarships to help eligible students.

If you or someone you know might qualify, you’re urged to learn more and apply. The Kids’ Chance of Nebraska website iswww.kidschanceofne.org

Scholarship Details

The offices of Rehm, Bennett, Moore & Rehm, which also sponsors the Trucker Lawyers website, are located in Lincoln and Omaha, Nebraska. Five attorneys represent plaintiffs in workers’ compensation, personal injury, employment and Social Security disability claims. The firm’s lawyers have combined experience of more than 95 years of practice representing injured workers and truck drivers in Nebraska, Iowa and other states with Nebraska and Iowa jurisdiction. The lawyers regularly represent hurt truck drivers and often sue Crete Carrier Corporation, K&B Trucking, Werner Enterprises, UPS, and FedEx. Lawyers in the firm hold licenses in Nebraska and Iowa and are active in groups such as the College of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers, Workers' Injury Law & Advocacy Group (WILG), American Association for Justice (AAJ), the Nebraska Association of Trial Attorneys (NATA), and the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). We have the knowledge, experience and toughness to win rightful compensation for people who have been injured or mistreated.

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