Quote of the day
"If you have enjoyed a good life working with asbestos, why not die from it?'"
Communication between employees of Bendix and another asbestos company, Johns-Manville, Inc., which was seen by the jury that awarded $850,000 to a woman whose husband died of mesothelioma
California: We’re No. 2!
California companies pay the second-highest workers’ compensation premium rates in the country, trailing only Alaska, according to the 2006 Oregon Workers’ Compensation Premium Rate Ranking. California’s premium rate index is $4.13 per $100 of payroll, or 166 percent of the national median. By Rodney Tanaka, Whittier Daily News [With Photo] Go to the Full Story…
Woman Who Lost Husband to Mesothelioma Receives $850,000 from Illinois Jury
In an Illinois county’s third lawsuit in 14 months accusing Honeywell International Inc. of conspiring to hide asbestos dangers, a jury awards $850,000 to a woman whose husband, a pipe covering inspector, died of mesothelioma. The three lawsuits against Honeywell have resulted in $11 million in jury awards. By Greg Cima, the Pantagraph (Bloomington-Normal, Ill.)
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Auditor: Morale Problems Hobbling N.D. Workers’ Comp Agency
Employee morale is a significant problem at North Dakota’s Workforce Safety and Insurance agency, according to a state auditor who says the issue affects productivity. But the agency’s chairman of the board contends employees may be rebelling against having to meet certain employment expectations to qualify for pay raises. By Dale Wetzel, AP via the Forum (Fargo) [With Photo] Go to the Full Story…
Pension Cut Rankles Disabled Pennsylvania Cops
A federal lawsuit by a police officer’s association accusing the borough of Forest Hills, Pa., of violating the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, stands to affect the rights of officers who were permanently disabled after they were shot in the line of duty. A local ordinance requires disability pensions to be cut in half when such officers reach eligible retirement age. By Peggy Conrad, Woodland Progress (Monroeville, Pa.)
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Arkansas Court Reverses State WCC on Physical Evaluation
Overturning an Arkansas Workers’ Compensation Commission decision denying an injured worker’s request for a doctor-recommended evaluation of his functional capacity, the Arkansas Court of Appeals holds that an auto paint and body shop must pay for the evaluation. The commission had found that a physical evaluation did not constitute reasonable medical treatment. By John Lyon, Morning News (Springdale, Ark.)
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Special Session in the Sunshine State to Cover Insurance
A special legislative session in January aims to tackle Florida’s growing insurance crisis, Gov.-elect Charlie Crist and legislative leaders announce. Crist says he wants to limit the ability of insurers to “cherry-pick” the profitable types of insurance they sell and the higher-risk policies they can cancel.
Go to the full story by Beatrice E. Garcia and Gary Fineout, Miami Herald
Go to the full story by Randy Diamond, Palm Beach Post
Go to the full story by Kevin Begos and Michael Fechter, Tampa Tribune
Delaware Insurance Commissioner Rejects Rate Boost
Delaware Insurance Commissioner Matt Denn denies an insurance industry-proposed 4.05 percent increase in workers’ compensation insurance rates after an independent review shows the rate hike is not necessary, and says most Delaware employers will pay the same rates next year. By Ted Griffith, News Journal (Wilmington)
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Aussie Government Responds to Pressure on Comp Scheme
Australian labor officials, in an effort to shore up the financial viability of the workers’ compensation system, are tightening laws to prevent payments for some types of injuries and diseases. The most significant new change will disallow workers’ comp for a disease unless a job was a significant factor in contracting or exacerbating it. The Age (Melbourne)
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