Quote of the day
"I think the governor is just politically motivated here . . . and I'm not going to give into that. I've been on that board for 12 years. We've never raised rates. We've given a billion back in dividends and shared earnings and discounts to the business community. The company has treated injured workers with respect and dignity. They have focused completely on safety and health."
George Nee, Beacon Mutual Insurance Co. board member, under pressure from Rhode Island Gov. Donald Carcieri to resign in the wake of an audit that found mismanagement the state's dominant workers' comp insurer
Desert Roofer’s Lonely Fight Against Unlicensed Contractors
A Palm Springs roofer says he’s fighting a solo battle against a group of unlicensed workers that are avoiding paying taxes and workers compensation, and getting away with it. By Stella Inger, KESQ-TV (Palm Springs)
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Workers Comp Seminar Next Week in Red Bluff
On Tuesday, May 9, the Tehama County Employer Advisory Council is sponsoring a seminar on workers compensation in Red Bluff. Slated topics include managing worker compensation rates, reporting injuries, claims, return-to-work issues and fraud. Chico Enterprise Record
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Judge to Rhode Island Governor: Not So Fast
One Beacon Mutual Insurance Co.’s director steps down as two others go to court to try to prevent Rhode Island Gov. Donald Carcieri from firing them “for cause.” The state’s dominant workers’ compensation insurer is reeling from an audit that showed mismanagement and pricing favoritism. By Lynn Arditi, Providence Journal
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Ohio Coin Dealer Wants More Info on Charges
The attorney for embattled Ohio businessman Tom Noe, the once-prominent Republican contributor and coin dealer facing a raft of charges including looting or laundering more than $3 million in Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation investment funds, argues in court that he needs access to prosecutors’ computer files in order to defend his client. By Mike Wilkinson, Toledo Blade [With Photo] Go to the Full Story…
Victim’s Son Says Province Is Hosing Firefighters
The son of an Ontario firefighter who died from cancer of the esophagus urges lawmakers to support a bill that recognizes particular hazards that firefighters face and provide compensation to them. Pulse24.com (Toronto)
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New Laws Target Illegal Alien Workers
Last month, Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue signed a law that imposes fines on employers of illegal aliens, in addition to requiring state offices to verify an employee’s status before paying unemployment benefits or workers’ compensation. Similar provisions are found in pending bills in several other states dealing with issues surrounding illegal immigration. By T.R. Reid, Washington Post via San Francisco Chronicle
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Keystone State Sisters Bilked $90,000 in Dead Mother’s Benefits, AG Says
A Pennsylvania woman is charged with cashing her dead mother’s workers’ compensation checks for four years, continuing a fraud against U.S. Steel Corp. that her sister started. Officials say the two raked in nearly $90,000. By AP via NBC10 (Philadelphia)
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BrickStreet Sends Out First Widows’ Checks
BrickStreet Mutual Insurance, West Virginia’s private insurance company that took over all state business in January, writes the first of its checks to widows and widowers who recently were denied lifetime workers’ compensation benefits. Facing a growing controversy over a policy reversal, Gov. Joe Manchin last month ordered the Insurance Commissioner to restore such benefits. By Paul J. Nyden, Charleston Gazette
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