News Digest 11-22-2019

Quote of the day

“Yet another year with a decrease in loss cost for workers’ compensation is another win for Colorado employers.”

Michael Conway, Colorado insurance commissioner

The Business Times

 

 

Colorado: Loss costs cut for 2020

The Colorado Division of Insurance recently approved an 8.5 percent decrease in the average statewide loss costs component of workers’ compensation premiums. The cut follows a 16.7 percent decrease for 2019 and will mark a sixth consecutive year in Colorado without an increase. The Business Times

 

Ohio overpaying for workers’ comp claims: Whistleblower

A whistleblower claims the Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation is holding a study that claims the state is vastly overpaying for the agency’s multi-billion dollar payout system. According to the study, on the national level, for each dollar paid out for medical benefits, 14 percent goes to managed care organizations administration fees; while in Ohio, MCOs rake in 27 percent. nbc4i/WCMH (Columbus) [with video]

 

Minnesota contractor pleads guilty to fraud, trafficking

A 47-year-old Minnesota construction contractor has pleaded guilty to fraud and trafficking illegal workers. He was also accused of workers’ compensation fraud and became the first person in state history charged under a labor trafficking law. Prosecutors are expected to seek sentencing of nine months in a county workhouse. CityPages

 

House passes bill tackling workplace violence in healthcare, social services

The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation on Thursday aimed at addressing workplace violence in the healthcare and social service sectors. The measure calls for employers to develop plans to prevent and investigate violence in the workplace, provide training and education, and implement recordkeeping requirements. The measure faces an uphill battle in the Senate. The Hill

 

Connecticut fines contractors at poultry farm $270K

The Connecticut Department of Labor has fined two companies more than $270,000 for misclassifying workers, including teenagers, at an egg-producing poultry business. Investigators say they observed a van arrive and drop off 16 young workers after the full-time employees had left for the day. Hartford Courant

 

Avoiding the “Focus 4”

According to the Mississippi and Alabama Area Director of the American Society of Safety Professionals, abating Fed-OSHA’s “Focus 4” safety hazards will not only help with compliance, but liability and legal issues as well as workers’ compensation. Packaging World