Quote of the day
"The Bureau of Workers' Compensation should not be in the position of establishing rules affecting competition in the same industry."
Frank Viviano, owner of three Toledo-area flower and gift shops, after a slip-and-fall claim involving a temporary driver got him kicked out of an exclusive Ohio BWC program that slashes rates for employers with good safety records
Investigation: Workers’ Comp Funds Go to Oklahoma Campaigns
An investigation finds that workers’ compensation attorneys who control a secretive Oklahoma group raise money for a political fund by withholding a portion of their clients’ awards. The lawyers then distribute the money to various political causes and candidates, mostly Democrats, sometimes without clients’ knowledge.
Go to the full story by Nolan Clay and Randy Ellis, Oklahoman
Go to the full story by AP via KSWO-TV (Lawton, Okla.)
Family of Ironworker Killed in Crane Incident Sues Contractor
A judge orders that attorneys for a man killed in a crane accident in Normal, Ill., have access to the area where the mishap occurred. The victim’s family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the contractor that reportedly was responsible for coordinating and inspecting work at the site. By Edith Brady-Lunny, Bloomington Pantagraph [with photos] Go to the Full Story…
Palmetto State Gov Steps Off Payment Limit Fight
Gov. Mark Sanford is backing off his efforts to force new injury payment standards at the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission. Sanford previously had ordered the commission to use American Medical Association guidelines to make award decisions. By AP via SCNow.com
Go to the Full Story…
Possible Class Action Calls Ohio BWC’s Exclusive Program ‘Unfair’
A group of employers outside of an Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation program that slashes premiums by up to 90 percent for some employers with good safety track records are seeking a preliminary injunction against the program, calling it unconstitutional. They are seeking to get an official class recognized to represent all 250,000 non-group businesses that claim to subsidize about $200 million a year in “excessive” discounts for 95,000 employers. By Jim Provance, Toledo Blade [with photos] Go to the Full Story…
Iowa: Workers’ Comp for Tantrum-Related Injury
Hawkeye State employers are raising concerns about a state administrative judge’s decision to award worker’s compensation and medical benefits to a part-time United Parcel Service employee who broke his hand when he lost his temper and hit a trailer.
Go to the full story by David Elbert, Des Moines Register [may require registration] Go to the full story by AP via Chicago Tribune [may require registration]
Former Insurance Agent Charged with Fraud
A former Raleigh, N.C., insurance agent is arrested on charges that she allegedly pocketed money from false workers’ compensation policies. A spokeswoman for the North Carolina Department of Insurance says that some affected contractors may believe they have coverage when they do not. By Stacey Cameron, WRAL-TV [with photo] Go to the Full Story…