Quote of the day
“I’m not surprised by the utilization numbers. Every year is different, and employees experience different challenges all throughout their lives. You never know when someone might need some additional support or guidance to work through difficult challenges.”
Walla Walla,Washington Human Resources Director Pam Taylor
Union-Bulletin (Walla Walla, Wash.)
West Virginia: Former county tax official indicted on workers’ comp, fraud charges
The former chief tax deputy for Kanawha County, West Virginia was indicted last week by a grand jury last for allegedly failing to fully pay employees’ workers’ compensation taxes, making false reports regarding workers’ compensation insurance and fraud. Charleston Gazette-Mail
Ohio trucker charged with working while collecting workers’ comp
A 53-year-old Zanesville, Ohio truck driver has pleaded guilty to working for his brother’s sandblasting business while receiving nearly $8,000 in worker’s compensation benefits. The man is one of seven individuals the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation filed charges against for fraud in December. The agency reportedly fined 94 individuals in 2018 for violating workers’ compensation laws. Zanesville Times Recorder
Washington: First responders battle PTSD with education
Emergency response personnel can receive workers’ compensation for post-traumatic stress disorder claims under a Washington state law passed last year. The new law has created another avenue for agencies dealing with the disorder. Union-Bulletin (Walla Walla, Wash.)
New York: State employee charged with workers’ comp, welfare fraud
A 41-year-old Monsey, New York man who allegedly worked several side jobs, while out from his state job on workers’ comp disability leave, faces charges of illegally collecting more than $100,000 in workers’ compensation benefits and Medicaid payments. The charges allege the fire protection specialist with the state Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services improperly received over $24,000 in workers’ comp benefits. Mid-Hudson News Network
Injured employee sues, alleges workers’ comp claim resulted in firing
A Houston, Texas man has filed suit against his former employer, a fence system manufacturing company, on grounds that he lost his job in retaliation for filing a workers’ compensation claim after he injured his elbow while working. SE Texas Record