News Digest 11-21-2019

Quote of the day

“The burden of proof is impossible. It’s what we see overtime, day in and day out that really starts to wear on you. Then you really don’t know when it hits you.”

Mahlon Mitchell, president of the Professional Firefighters Association of Wisconsin

WXOW

 

Florida orders 7.5 percent cut in workers’ comp rates

Florida’s insurance commissioner has signed off on reducing workers’ compensation insurance rates for Florida businesses beginning January 1. The 7.5 percent cut is a deeper reduction than that initially recommended by the National Council on Compensation Insurance earlier this year. Orlando Sentinel

 

Woman seen hitting herself with fallen sprinkler piece highlights fraud case

A video showing a 51-year-old Fort Lauderdale, Florida office worker apparently hitting herself in the head with a broken sprinkler head was highlighted as an example of fraud during this year’s legislative session in Tallahassee when lawmakers considered various workers’ compensation bills. Valliant News

 

Bill would allow Wisconsin first responders easier access to PTSD treatment

According to a Ruderman Family study, 103 firefighters nationwide died by suicide in 2017 while 93 died in the line of duty. The study shows a similar trend for police officers. Wisconsin legislators are considering a bill that would make it easier for first responders to get workers’ compensation for mental harm or emotional stress. WXOW

 

Canada: Saskatchewan raises workers’ comp taxable limit

Saskatchewan plans to increase its maximum insurable earnings amount for workers’ compensation premiums next year, the Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board has announced. Bloomberg Tax [may require registration]

 

New York high school coach charged with fraud

In New York, Haldane High School’s girls basketball program is pursuing its seventh consecutive championship without their coach, who has taken a leave of absence after he was arrested last month on fraud charges stemming from his former job as a municipal bus driver. He is accused of improperly collecting more than $3,000 in workers’ compensation after reporting a job-related knee injury that he claimed was preventing him from working. Rockland/Westchester Journal News/lohud