Quote of the day
"The DOC essentially has immunity. (Lathrem) was in the scope of her duties ... it's her job to monitor dangerous criminals ... there might have been negligence, but even a strong possibility that something could happen does not show that the DOC deliberately intended to injure Officer Lathrem."
Attorney William O. Kratochvil arguing why a corrections officer's death is a workers' comp issue. Read the full story here.
Employers Will Pay Less in Workers’ Comp Premiums: Kiplinger
Property casualty insurers will see record profits in 2006 for the second straight year, although employers can expect to pay less in workers’ comp insurance, according to Kiplinger Business Forecasts. But the rates will vary depending on local laws and regulations.
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Bay State Couple Charged in Workers’ Comp Fraud
The Massachusetts Attorney General charges a couple with workers’ comp fraud for allegedly misstating the nature of the business to avoid almost $200,000 in premium. According to the AG, the couple owned a company that did primarily demolition work but failed to tell their workers’ comp carrier, instead placing their employees in categories such as driver and street cleaner. At the same time, the couple took out a liability policy to protect the company from any incidents arising from demolition work. The Telegram and Gazette
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Sunshine Contractor Charged with Workers’ Comp Fraud
A South Palm Beach contractor faces workers’ comp premium fraud charges, according to the Florida Department of Financial Services. According to the Department, the contractor allegedly underreported payroll to avoid paying more than $67,000 in premium. According to reports, the contractor failed to report over $300,000 in payroll. By Margie Kacoha, Palm Beach Daily News
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Q&A offers Financial Advice on Workers’ Comp
How soon after an employee is injured will the disability checks start arriving? That’s just one of several questions posed to workers’ comp gurus around the country including a few from California. By Matt Villano, New York Times
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Florida Judge Denies Exclusive Remedy Argument in Death of Corrections Officer
A Florida circuit judge rules that a case involving the death of a prison guard at the hands of escaped prisoners will proceed to trial. Attorneys for the Florida Department of Corrections tried to have the suit thrown out arguing that the family of the prison guard could not sue DOC because her death is a workers’ compensation issue. The judge ruled that defense was not grounds for dismissal of the case. By Alyssa Schnugg, Sun Herald
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