Pandemic-related unemployment expected to cause 890K US deaths: Study
A new National Bureau for Economic Research paper, by researchers from Harvard University, Johns Hopkins University, and Duke University, projects 890,000 additional deaths may result over the next 15 years from actions taken to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Specifically, the researchers cite unemployment spikes from lockdowns and other government restrictions that were two to five times larger than typical unemployment shocks. Fee.org
Californian pleads guilty in Massachusetts to fraud charges
A 43-year-old Los Angeles man has pleaded guilty in federal court in Worcester, Massachusetts to federal tax and fraud charges arising from his role with various employment agencies, for allegedly misrepresenting the number of its employees and their wages and failed to report cash wages to the IRS and to its workers’ compensation carrier. Justice.gov
North Carolina fire union lobbies for presumptive cancer coverage
North Carolina firemen are expressing frustration about being denied presumptive cancer coverage as a health benefit. A bill that last year died in a state senate committee would have labeled nine cancers, most commonly found in firemen, as occupational diseases and required them to be covered under the Workers’ Compensation Act. The bill has gone through many incarnations but has failed to be approved every time. Fox 8 (Greensboro, N.C.)
Montana House committee hears workers’ comp bill
Montana lawmakers this week heard testimony on a bill that would require employees to disclose any pre-existing conditions that are “relevant to the essential function of the job.” Supporters say the bill would help businesses prevent fraud and better accommodate their employees. Under current law, employers must ask potential employees if they can do the job; this bill would instead put the onus on employees to report their abilities to their employer. Montana Public Radio
Mail delays causing problems in Pennsylvania workers’ comp payments
In the last few months, claimants’ counsel has been experiencing delays in receiving their clients’ weekly benefit checks, settlement checks, and the like, writes attorney Kimberly Costello of Chartwell Law. JD Supra