Quote of the day
"We gave our word to the state and to the governor's office that we would come back if they reformed the system,"
Usman "Sani" Mirza, manager of a 24-doctor practice in San Antonio that is planning to rejoin the state's workers' compensation system
‘They’re Back’: San Antonio Surgeons Rejoin Workers’ Comp
Two years after a very public pullout from Texas’ workers’ compensation insurance system, the surgeons at San Antonio Orthopedic Group say they are willing to give it another try. The doctors left after the Texas Workers’ Compensation Commission capped fees at a low rate and cut in half the amount surgical centers were getting for treating injured workers. By Travis E. Poling, San Antonio Express-News [With Photo] Go to the Full Story…
James Hardie Gets Extension on Asbestos Compensation Fund
James Hardie Industries NV, the biggest seller of home siding in the U.S., reports that it has been granted another month to set up its $1.2 billion (USD) compensation fund for asbestos victims. Australia’s New South Wales state government extended the deadline for setting up the fund to Oct. 31. By Hans van Leeuwen, Bloomberg
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Tipster Hoses Connecticut Furniture Mover for Alleged Scam
An anonymous tip leads Connecticut investigators to arrest a Stamford man who allegedly ran a furniture-moving business while collecting workers’ compensation for a back injury. The 40-year-old man was injured in March 2004 when he lost control of a hose, and the nozzle swung around his body and into his back. By Zach Lowe, Stamford Advocate
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NYC Insurance Broker Busted for Selling Fake Comp Policies
A 74-year-old licensed insurance broker in Flushing, Queens is accused of selling nonexistent workers’ compensation policies to small businesses in New York City and Long Island. WCBS-TV (New York)
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Juror Pool Shrinks as Noe Trial Looms
Nearly one-quarter of the prospective jurors summoned for the criminal trial of Ohio coin dealer Tom Noe so far have been excused from jury service, with the trial just a week away. Noe has pleaded not guilty to 46 felony charges stemming from allegations that he embezzled more than $3 million from two coin funds he managed for the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation. Toledo Blade
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Foulke to MACOSH: We Listen
Fed-OSHA Administrator Edwin Foulke stresses to members of the Maritime Advisory Committee for Occupational Safety and Health at its meeting on Sept. 26 that the agency pays attention to the advisory committee’s recommendations. Foulke also said that Fed-OSHA’s alliance with the National Maritime Safety Association will allow the agency to look into issues of importance to the marine cargo-handling industry. By Katherine Torres, Occupational Hazards
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UWC Chooses New President
The UWC-Strategic Services on Unemployment & Workers’ Compensation says that Douglas Holmes has been selected to head the Washington-based business research and advocacy group. By Robert Ceniceros, Business Insurance
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