Quote of the day
"Usually, you don't have a smoking gun."
David Cohn, attorney for three workers who were injured in a February 2007 pipeline blast near Bakersfield, about a Cal/OSHA report
Go to the full story in KBAK-TV (Bakersfield)
Bakersfield Pipeline Blast Victims Sue for Negligence
Three workers who were injured in a February, 2007 pipeline explosion near Bakersfield file a negligence lawsuit against Occidental Petroleum, claiming they are still suffering the effects of their injuries. Their lawyer calls a Cal/OSHA report on the thickness of a pipe that carried high-pressure gas the “smoking gun.”
By Steven Mayer, Bakersfield Californian [With Video and Photos] Go to the full story in KBAK-TV (Bakersfield) [With Video]
WSI Hires Consultants to Review Management, Claims Handling
North Dakota’s Workforce Safety and Insurance agrees to spend more than $300,000 on two consultants who will examine the troubled agency’s management and handling of claims. North Dakota Gov. John Hoeven has sought the outside review because of recent upheavals at the state workers’ comp agency, including the firing of its chief executive and an internal auditor’s questions about whether the agency has been improperly denying claims.
Go to the full story by Dale Wetzel, AP via Houston Chronicle
Go to the full story by AP via KXMC-TV (Bismarck)
Go to the full story by AP via CNNMoney.com
Mountain State Lawmakers Ease Wording on Oversight Bill
West Virginia lawmakers still want oversight of workers’ compensation insurance regulations, but they’re going to call it “reporting requirements,” in order to get the proposed legislation endorsed. Gov. Joe Manchin and some lawmakers fear the word “oversight” will scare off potential private insurance firms wanting to enter the state’s privatized workers’ comp market, which will open to nationwide competition for the first time in July.
Go to the full story by Tom Searls, Charleston Gazette
Go to the full story by Walt Williams, State Journal
Mass. Mayor: School Custodians’ Claims Amount to “Work Stoppage”
The mayor of Lynn, Mass., says workers’ compensation claims by school maintenance and custodial staff were major factors in a $1.8 million budget deficit that forced the city to make across-the-board cuts last month. According to city officials, more than 14 percent of such staff are currently out on workers’ comp, in comparison to the trade’s national average of 3 percent, and that amounts to an effective “work stoppage.” By John Laidler, Boston Globe
Go to the Full Story…
Tasmanian Cops Seek to Arrest Workers’ Comp Laws
The Police Association in Tasmania wants changes to the Australian state’s workers’ compensation laws in light of a new report that recommends 19 improvements, and that the government examine at how workers compensation is paid to injured police. ABC News (Australia)
Go to the Full Story…
Vermont Bill Would Change Workers’ Comp System
Increases in workers’ compensation insurance costs for Vermont employers have leveled off recently and will likely come down this year: rates are headed for a 4.2 percent decline in 2009.
Go to the full story by Louis Porter, Barre – Montpelier Times Argus
Go to the full story by Terri Hallenbeck, Burlington Free Press
Volunteer State Employers to Fight Telecommuter-Friendly Law
Telecommuters and employees who work out in company fitness centers won recent Tennessee Supreme Court decisions allowing them to collect workers’ compensation benefits. But the business community and insurance companies are poised to fight back during this legislative session. By Sheila Burke, Tennessean
Go to the Full Story…
Key Risk Opens Baltimore Office to Manage City’s Claims
Greensboro, N.C.-based workers’ compensation provider Key Risk opens a Baltimore office that will handle work on its recently-awarded contract to manage workers’ comp claims for the City of Baltimore. Claims in the city decreased 1.6 percent from 2006 to 2007.
Go to the full story in the Baltimore Business Journal
Go to the full story in the Examiner
BWC Identifies 100 Noncompliant Employers
The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation identifies 100 employers who failed to pay for their workers’ compensation insurance. Each of noncompliant business owes more than $10,000 in workers’ compensation premiums, which were due on Aug. 31, 2007, according to the state. Middletown Journal [With Audio] Go to the Full Story…