Quote of the day
“When people cheat BWC or fail to cover their own employees, they are cheating the injured workers who really need our help and the employers in our system that follow the law.”
Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation Administrator/CEO Stephanie McCloud
Washington L&I cuts workers’ comp rate for 2020
The price of workers’ compensation insurance is dropping in Washington for the third straight year. The state Department of Labor & Industries last week announced a .8 percent decrease in the average amount employers will pay for coverage in 2020. L&I cut rates by 5 percent in 2019 and 2.5 percent in 2018. Daily Journal of Commerce [may require registration]
Maine town has paid out $97K in 2018 injury
Livermore, Maine’s workers’ compensation insurer has paid out nearly $97,000, including all medical bills in an ongoing case involving an employee injury that occurred last year. The town’s premium has increased by $24,500, bringing it to $48,000 per year, the town’s manager has reported. Sun Journal
New York coach admits coaching while collecting workers’ comp
A 49-year-old Peekskill, New York man has admitted to collecting workers’ compensation, while continuing to coach girls’ high school basketball, for a purported 2016 back injury he sustained working as a municipal bus driver. News 12 Westchester
Ohio BWC nets 14 fraud convictions in October
The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation reports that it secured 14 fraud-related convictions for working while collecting disability benefits, family members collecting deceased parent’s benefits, and business owners whose coverage had lapsed, in October. The convictions account for $283,000 in total restitution owed to the agency. Times Bulletin (Van Wert, Ohio)
Florida appeals court overturns workers’ comp judge in meningitis cases
A Florida appeals court last week reversed two decisions of judge of compensation claims and rejected workers’ compensation claims involving allegations that two workers developed meningitis after inhaling types of fungus while on the job. Gainesville Sun [may require registration]