Quote of the day
“It has emboldened the Legislature and put some starch in their shorts.”
Bill Herrle, executive director of the National Federation of Independent Business in Florida
In Florida, new justices could refuel workers’ comp fight
Workers’ compensation is one of the most divisive issues in the Florida Legislature because of the breadth of its impact. The appointment of two new Florida Supreme Court justices has galvanized the business community’s interest in tackling attorney fees in the workers’ compensation insurance system. WLRN (Miami)
New York fireman charged with Medicaid, workers’ comp fraud
A 41-year-old Monsey, New York volunteer firefighter who became a respected local voice on fire prevention faces multiple fraud charges for working several jobs while out on disability and accepting more than $100,000 in state benefits. He allegedly began a Medicaid-paid taxi transportation business when he first went out on leave in 2016 and operated the business illegally as he failed to provide workers compensation benefits for his employees, according to prosecutors. Rockland/Westchester Journal News/lohud
Ohio: Middletown bar owners convicted for not paying workers’ comp premiums
The owners of a Middletown, Ohio bar have pleaded guilty to workers’ compensation fraud charges. Journal-News
Florida roofer charged with fraud dodges questions
A Jacksonville, Florida-area man who was arrested in December for felony insurance fraud and other charges was in court last week but refused to answer a reporter’s questions. News4Jax
How ergonomics contributes to safety in meat-processing
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports injury and illness rates for the meatpacking industry as 2.5 times higher than the national average. Cumulative trauma disorders are particularly prevalent in the meatpacking industry, and exposure to known risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders increases the risk of injury. Food Engineering