Quote of the day
“Through improved workplace safety and better risk management practices, rates have continued their downward trajectory …. Rates have had a cumulative drop of 19 percent over the last five years and 51 percent over the last 20 years.”
Jim Donelon, Louisiana Insurance Commissioner
The Advocate
Louisiana’s workers’ comp rates to drop in May
Workers’ compensation rates are decreasing in Louisiana by 5.6 percent starting May 1, after state insurance actuaries approved a National Council on Compensation Insurance filing. The Advocate (Baton Rouge, La.)
Illinois Dems have opportunity to deal with business climate
Businesses have been leaving Illinois: a recent CNBC report ranked Illinois at 28th overall in America’s Top States for Business 2018, 42nd for its economy and 29th for cost of doing business. By comparison, neighboring Indiana was ranked fifth for cost of doing business, 20th for its economy and 16th overall. But Democrats, who have supermajorities in both chambers of the Illinois General Assembly, have an opportunity to reshape Illinois’ business climate in the next year, with workers’ compensation costs, property taxes and the state’s debt load on the table. Illinois News Network [with video]
How to limit company risks when throwing a holiday party
Holiday parties create the potential for big problems, from employees damaging their relationships or reputations to someone getting hurt or the organization being held legally responsible for injuries caused by a drunk-driving staff member. Here are five tips to reduce the risk of something going really wrong at your company’s holiday gathering. Motley Fool
Missourian alleges retaliatory firing
A St. Louis County, Missouri man alleges that he was terminated by his former employer in retaliation for filing a workers’ compensation claim in connection with a work-related motor vehicle accident. The lawsuit alleges the company failed to provide reasonable accommodation, subjected him to adverse employment actions and fired him. St. Louis Record
Utah teachers file millions in workers’ comp claims
Teachers in Utah have are filing staggering numbers of workers’ comp claims involving interactions with kids, particularly those with special needs. Costs to the three largest school districts have exceeded a million dollars in claims. KUTV
Ohio: Solon approves $125K workers’ comp settlement for fireman
The Solon, Ohio City Council recently approved a $125,000 settlement and release agreement with a now-retired fireman who suffered a traumatic brain injury when he was hit in the head by a deck gun under extreme water pressure when it was launched from a truck, during a pump training exercise in 2015. Cleveland Plain Dealer