New Digest 2-10-2020

Quote of the day

“A major expense for Vermont businesses has been workers’ comp insurance, so I’m incredibly pleased we’ve been able to continually reduce these costs, without reducing benefits for workers.

Vermont Gov. Phil Scott

VermontBiz

 

Vermont employers to see lower workers’ comp rates

Vermont Gov. Phil Scott last week announced that Vermont businesses will see a double-digit rate decrease in workers’ compensation insurance, effective on April 1. It’s the fourth straight year of rate decreases and represents the largest one in over a decade, according to the governor’s office. VermontBiz

 

Delaware insurance commish: More than $4M from reduced workers’ comp rates

The Delaware Department of Insurance has analyzed new filings from the state’s top writers of workers’ compensation insurance, which represent nearly 10,000 companies that hold policies within the state. They will see a total premium impact of more than $3.7 million in this third straight year of lower workers’ comp rates. The department expects realized savings of more than $4 million from the entire writer universe. Delaware.gov

 

Indiana: IPEP awards safety grant to Union City

The Indiana Public Employers’ Plan, Inc., which provides workers’ compensation claims administration for more than 700 public entities including cities, towns, counties and schools, this week announced Union City is a recipient of its 2020 safety grant award. Daily Advocate (Greenville, Ohio)

 

New York: Capital Region contractors charged with workers’ comp violations

Two Saratoga Springs, New York-area contractors have been charged with felonies after allegedly failing to obtain workers’ compensation coverage for their construction employees. One allegedly submitted a certificate of insurance falsely indicating his company had obtained both commercial general liability and workers’ compensation insurance coverage. Albany Times Union

 

Virginia Senate passes bill to provide workers’ comp to first responders with PTSD

Following the mass shooting in Virginia Beach last year, the Virginia Senate has passed a bill providing that post-traumatic stress disorder incurred by first responders is covered by the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Act if an individual is professionally diagnosed, as a result of an event occurring in the line of duty, on or after July 1. The legislation would treat mental health issues like any other physical injury sustained in the line of duty, according to a state firefighters’ association. Virginia Business