Quote of the day
“What we’ve experienced is what a lot of Applied Underwriters’ insureds experience a ‘scorched earth’ policy in litigation. It’s scorched earth policy shows in the many lawsuits it has with its own insureds.”
J Dale Debber, publisher, Workers’ Comp Executive
Ninth Circuit Kicks Applied Underwriters’ Trademark Infringement Lawsuit
The verdict is in and the Ninth Circuit backed the little guy in a fight brought by Applied Underwriters and its parent Berkshire Hathaway. Get the full details by clicking here. Workers’ Comp Executive
Advisor to Florida Senate president joins ranks of AOB reform optimists
For at least the past three years, Florida House legislation on reform of assignment of benefits contracts, the workers’ compensation system, and the state’s personal injury protection law has died in the state senate. Jeff Brandes, a key adviser to Senate President Bill Galvano, is among those who believe this is the year for assignment of benefits reform. “Workers’ comp has kind of moved down on the scale of must-get-done insurance items,” amid declining premium levels, according to Brandes. Florida Politics
Hospital worker hurt using elliptical can’t both get workers’ comp and sue
An Illinois appeals court has ruled that a former hospital employee who injured her arm while using workout equipment can’t collect both on her workers’ comp claim and press a personal injury lawsuit against her employer. While the plantiff’s civil suit was pending, she settled her workers’ comp claim, obtaining a lump sum. Cook County Record
A Camden, New Jersey Fire Department captain has filed suit against the city after he was struck in the head by a fire hose coupling while working. The lawsuit claims his injury is attributable to the fire chief’s mismanagement of probationary firefighters and that the fire hydrant was improperly activated by one of two probationary firefighters. Tap into Westfield
Alabama; New Brockton approves workers’ comp fund
New Brockton, Alabama town officials unanimously approved the municipal workers’ comp fund at its regular meeting on January 7. Southeast Sun (Enterprise, Ala.)