Quote of the day
"The Democratic politicians who voted for the [workers' comp] changes have largely recanted, saying impacts on disabled workers have been far more severe than they anticipated, and the unions, lawyers who specialize in workers' comp cases and medical providers whose fees were slashed have been pushing for a rollback. "
Dan Walters, Sacramento Bee columnist
Workers’ Comp Was Kept on the Down-Low During Campaign
You heard almost nothing about it during the campaign, but workers’ comp was a powerful factor in the gubernatorial race between Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Democrat Phil Angelides. It was the single most important issue for the business interests that backed Schwarzenegger’s re-election. By Dan Walters, Sacramento Bee
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CIAW Director Gold Responds to Poochigian
In response to the views of state Sen. Chuck Poochigian, R-Fresno, regarding worker’s compensation, Sam Gold, the director of Californians Injured At Work, calls SB 899 “the worst piece of legislation in California history.” KHTS-AM (Santa Clarita)
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Commentary: Welcome News for Washington Businesses, Workers
Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire’s announcement that workers’ compensation and unemployment insurance rates will be an average of two percent lower next year is good news for Washington employers, workers and their families. Lawmakers must continue the momentum to reduce system costs while times are good, in order to soften the blow when times are bad. By Don Brunell, the Columbian (Clark County, Wash.)
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Aussie Construction Giant: WorkCover Report ‘Flawed’
In Australia, a secret WorkCover report sounds an alarm over the safety record of construction contracting giant John Holland Group, on the eve of a ruling on its application to bolt state workers compensation programs in favor of the federal Comcare scheme. The firm says it has referred the “utterly flawed” report to its lawyers. By Misha Schubert, the Age (Melbourne)
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Attorney’s License Suspended over Insurance Billing
The Kansas Supreme Court suspends the law license of a Lawrence attorney and Republican Party activist for two years for “fleecing” the Kansas Insurance Department. The Kansas Board for Discipline of Attorneys hearing panel found that the lawyer routinely billed the state workers compensation fund for improper expenses. By Scott Rothschild, Lawrence Journal-World
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Ohio Inspector General Probes Lawmakers in BWC Rate Flap
In Ohio, state Sen. Kirk Schuring, five other lawmakers and the governor’s office are under investigation in still another problem at the scandal-ridden Bureau of Workers’ Compensation: Both the Ohio inspector general and the legislative inspector general are looking into whether they unduly influenced the BWC to cut premiums. By Paul E. Kostyu Copley, Canton Repository
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Editorial: Shady Deal Should Have Raised Red Flags
When an Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation official agrees to lower the premiums charged to a business but refuses to put it in writing, red flags ought to go up. And when politicians are involved in gaining such premium reductions, Ohioans should demand answers. Wheeling (W.V.) Intelligencer
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