New York contractor indicted for $2M workers’ comp fraud
A 51-year-old Somers, New York-area contractor has been indicted for allegedly providing false information to obtain required workers’ compensation insurance. Authorities allege that from November 2016 through November 2017, the defendant applied for and received binding coverage based on information he supplied that he was operating a real estate business with a single employee and only $40,000 in workers’ comp payroll and was given an active policy. Daily Voice
Georgia could pay off workers’ compensation backlog in 2022
Georgia’s fiscal status has put the state in a position to clear its workers’ compensation backlog, Governor Brian Kemp’s budget director said Thursday. The governor’s plan calls for spending $150 million to pay off workers’ compensation owed to state employees in the current fiscal year. Center Square
Whistleblower wins round against Nevada workplace safety agency
A three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously ruled last week that an individual, who around 10 years ago worked for a medical practice and reported about improper practices, including reusing syringes and using expired medicines, can sue four officials from Nevada OSHA. The court reinstated much of the lawsuit, which alleges she faced retaliation after her name was provided to her employer following what she thought would be an anonymous complaint. The whistleblower says that after her employer learned she made the complaint, she was written up for policy violations despite her good work record. KNPR
Some Massachusetts healthcare employees with COVID had to fight for pay, analysis finds
An analysis of workers’ compensation claims filed with the Massachusetts Department of Industrial Accidents from January 2020 through the end of 2021 found that more than 12,700 claims were submitted for people who missed work due to alleged COVID exposure on the job. Many of those exposed to the virus were required to work because they were deemed essential, especially in health care but also in industries from retail to public service. WBUR (Boston)