Quote of the day
"This is a nice present for all the people in the state of Delaware."
Delaware Gov. Ruth Ann Minner, after the state House passes Delaware Senate Bill 1, the state's comprehensive workers' compensation reform bill
Go to the full story in the News Journal (Wilmington, Del.)
California’s ‘Popcorn Lung’ Probe Expands
A health investigation of California’s flavor manufacturing industry finds another six workers, in addition to two cases that sparked the investigation nine months ago, who have lost nearly all use of their lungs as a result of the rare disease bronchiolitis obliterans. By Chris Bowman, Sacramento Bee
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‘First State’ Passes First Comprehensive Reform in a Century
The Delaware House passes Senate Bill 1, the first comprehensive rewrite of the state’s workers’ compensation law since the system was set up in the early 1900s. The legislation, which Gov. Ruth Ann Minner has signed, is expected to cut workers’ comp costs by implementing a panel that will set medical fees. By J.L. Miller and Patrick Jackson, News Journal (Wilmington, Del.) [With Photo] Go to the Full Story…
Opinion: ‘Unfathomable’ Cost to Missouri Employers
The president of Associated Industries of Missouri contends that a Missouri Supreme Court decision awarding permanent total disability benefits from the state’s second injury fund to a deceased worker’s surviving spouse will exact a ruinous cost from Missouri employers if it stands. By Gary Marble, Joplin Independent
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NFIB Lauds Palmetto State Gov’s State of the State
Responding to South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford’s State of the State address, the National Federation of Independent Business says it “appreciates the emphasis this session from our governor and leaders in the General Assembly to adopt sorely needed comprehensive workers’ compensation reform” and lauds achievements in tort reform. WIS-TV (Columbia, S.C.)
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Opinion: Applying Workers’ Comp Reform to Healthcare
In Massachusetts, workers’ compensation rates have plummeted by about 60 percent since passage of reform in the early 1990’s. But applying the “workers’ compensation approach” to cut healthcare costs will require an unprecedented level of cooperation from providers, hospitals, insurers, employers, consumer groups, public officials, and other interested parties. By Stephen D’Amato, Boston Globe
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Report: Layoffs Harm Remaining Employees’ Mental Health
Researchers in Finland report that workers who survive employers’ downsizing measures have a higher risk of suffering from mental health problems.
Go to the full story by Steven Reinberg, HealthDay.com via FoodConsumer.org
Go to the full story by Reuters via the Star (Malaysia)
Arkansas High Court Wristslaps Lawyer
The Arkansas Supreme Court Committee on Professional Conduct reprimands an attorney for not filing an appeal for a client in a workers’ compensation case. Fort Smith Times Record
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