Quote of the day
“The continued decline in workers’ compensation premiums highlights Tennessee’s focus on creating an environment where businesses can grow, employees can prosper, and our state can continue to attract companies and high-paying jobs.”
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee
Workers’ comp rates in Tennessee to drop for seventh straight year
The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance has announced workers’ compensation premium rates will drop next March, reflecting another 7.1 loss cost estimate by regulators. The new filing reflects a continuing trend of reduced workers’ comp costs for employers since state legislators moved to an administrative, rather than a judicial, process of paying claims. Times Free Press
Florida appeals court rules for claimant in bowling outing injury case
A Florida appeals court panel has ruled 2-1 in favor of workers’ compensation for a woman who injured her ankle while on a company bowling outing. A key issue in the case is whether the outing was a “recreational or social activity” or whether it was part of her job. WPEC (West Palm Beach)
Missouri volunteer firefighters to get better workers’ comp
The Missouri Department of Conservation And The Missouri Division of Fire Safety are partnering to pilot a new grant opportunity for volunteer firefighters. The grant will provide a maximum of $2,000 per year, for a three-year period and covers workers’ compensation and liability coverage for active fire department members. fourstates homepage [with video]
Coal miners exposed to toxic dust that causes black lung: Study
New research, the first to specifically analyze long-term data on exposure to toxic silica dust for workers at surface mines, finds Appalachian surface coal miners are consistently overexposed to toxic silica dust. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health researchers were specifically interested in surface miners’ exposure because those mines produce the most coal and, in 2017, twice as many miners worked at surface mines compared to underground mines. WV Public Broadcasting