News Digest 10-10-2019

Quote of the day

“The decrease in the 2020 workers’ compensation rates reflects continued improvement in our state rating factors, including a slight decline in both the frequency of claims and the average cost of those claims.”

Idaho Department of Insurance director Dean Cameron

Times-News/MagicValley.com

 

 

Idaho’s workers’ compensation rate decreases for 2020

The Idaho Department of Insurance has approved a proposal by the National Council on Compensation Insurance for a 6.2 percent overall rate decrease to the state’s workers’ compensation insurance, effective January 1. Times-News/MagicValley.com

 

Iowa motor homes manufacturer sued for discrimination, retaliation

Six former employees are suing Winnebago Industries of Foster City, Iowa and two company executives for age and disability discrimination and retaliation. One plaintiff claims he filed a workers’ compensation claim after a back injury in 1992 and was told he would never be promoted because he filed the claim, and alleges younger workers were then routinely promoted over him. Mason City Globe Gazette

 

How exosuits could reduce worker insurance claims

Exoskeletons and exosuits are physical human augmentation wearable devices that provide assistive force and usually augment a worker’s hand, lower back or shoulders. As the technology enters the workplace, it is inevitably encountering insurance companies and organizations responsible for workers’ compensation. Plant Services

 

Fast food worker alleges she was fired for filing workers’ comp claim

An employee of a McDonald’s restaurant in O’Fallon, Illinois claims in a lawsuit she was fired after seeking treatment for a workplace injury, which allowed her to become eligible for workers’ compensation. Madison-St. Clair Record

 

Wyoming Department of Workforce Services completes move

After beginning a search for a new space early last year, the Wyoming Department of Workforce Service, which provides assistance with workers’ compensation, unemployment benefits and other programs, finished moving into a centralized space in Cheyenne last week. Wyoming Tribune Eagle