Quote of the day
“This is going to be a change that’s very good for Minnesota police, fire first responders and others in dealing with PTSD. … They can be covered under workers comp, get treatment, hopefully get better and also help us recruit to the profession.”
Minnesota state Sen. Nick Frentz, regarding a new workers’ compensation law for first responders
KMSP (Eden Prairie, Minn.)
New Minnesota law provides workers’ comp for PTSD
Minnesota has enacted legislation intended to assist first responders dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder collect workers’ compensation. KMSP (Eden Prairie, Minn.) [with video]
Florida workers’ comp rates drop for second year
The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation in November approved an overall 13.8 percent decrease in workers’ compensation insurance rates for 2019, marking two consecutive years of decreases for employers in the state and the third since two major Florida Supreme Court decisions created uncertainty regarding rates. Florida Politics
North Dakota county is an opioid hotspot for injured workers
Burleigh County, North Dakota health providers are by far the heaviest prescribers of narcotic painkillers for injured workers covered by the state’s Workforce Safety and Insurance agency. Since 2006, its share of the total narcotic painkillers paid for by the workers’ comp has been as high as 58 percent. Bismarck Tribune
Pennsylvania: Insurers submit information on corrected workers’ comp policies
In December, Zenith Insurance Co. and ZNAT Insurance Co. became the first insurers in Pennsylvania to submit informational workers’ compensation filings, a move commended by Insurance Commissioner Jessica Altman. Pennsylvania Business Report
New York gov workers’ comp law amendment vetoed
Just prior the new year, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo vetoed a bill to amend the state’s workers’ compensation law that would have allowed workers paid leave time in the event of the death of a child, parent, grandparent, grandchild, spouse or domestic partner. LocalSYR (Syracuse)
Volunteer firefighter cancer benefit bill goes into effect in New York
Starting January 1, volunteer firefighters in New York who are diagnosed with cancer may be eligible for help paying for medical costs under a bill intended to be a less-expensive alternative to workers’ compensation. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, firefighters face a 9 percent increase in cancer diagnoses and a 14 percent increase in cancer-related deaths compared to the general population. WENY (Horseheads, N.Y.)
Kentucky lawmakers considering expanded PTSD treatment for first responders
In Kentucky, workers’ compensation covers for treatment for first responders who are injured physically and mentally, if that trauma is caused directly by a particular incident on the job. A bill in the state legislature would expand coverage for treatment for PTSD developed from a career serving as a firefighter, police officer or paramedic. Spectrum News 1