Quote of the day
"This is going to chew up some of the savings created by the reforms."
Kenneth Adams, president of the New York Business Council, about a last-minute, labor-backed provision inserted into the state's workers' comp reform bill that would force insurers to deposit funds for payouts with a state agency
New York Biz Groups: Labor’s Demand Hoses Employers
An obscure, eleventh hour provision in New York’s workers’ compensation reform bill threatens to cut savings for employers, contend insurance and business groups. The provision, which is grounded in solvency concerns and backed by organized labor, would require insurers to deposit payout funds with a state agency instead of letting them invest it. By Jay Gallagher, Ithaca Journal
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Two BP Jurors Knew Texas City Blast Victims
Jurors chosen last week to hear the second civil trial to emerge from the March 2005 explosion at BP’s Texas City refinery, which killed 15 contractors and injured at least 170 other workers, include two individuals who indicated that they knew someone hurt in the blast and one with a relative who works for the company. Plaintiffs in the case are claiming back and limb injuries, hearing and vision loss and emotional distress. By Kristen Hays, Houston Chronicle
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Authorities Arrest Central Valley Restaurant Owner
San Joaquin County authorities arrest the owner of the Modesto and Stockton Mallard’s restaurants, and issue arrest warrants for his wife and sons. The complaint for tax evasion against the restaurant owners includes counts for allegedly failing to provide workers compensation insurance for Modesto employees. By Ben van der Meer, Modesto Bee [With Photos] Go to the Full Story…
Province Eases Firefighters’ Ability to Collect Benefits
New Brunswick introduces legislation to make it easier for cancer-stricken firefighters to get workers’ compensation. Amendments to the provincial Workers Compensation Act cover firefighters who experience heart attacks within 24 hours of active service. By Canadian Press via Toronto Globe and Mail
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South Australia Firefighter Wins Workers’ Comp Battle for PTSD
A former Adelaide firefighter scores a major court victory in his quest to collect workers’ compensation for post traumatic stress disorder related to his service in the 1960s. The 61-year-old says he received no counseling during his career, despite repeatedly witnessing terrible deaths and injuries and fearing for his own life. Adelaide Advertiser
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More Australians Seeking Workers’ Comp for Skin Cancer
Legal experts say the number of Australians seeking workers’ comp for work-related skin cancer is rising. Annually in the state of South Australia, job-related sun exposure causes an estimated 3,400 skin cancers and 20 deadly melanomas. Adelaide Advertiser
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Oversight Panel Controversial as West Virginia Privatizes
West Virginia legislative leaders quiz Insurance Commissioner Jane Cline about the state’s ongoing process to privatize workers’ compensation after a judiciary Committee pulls a draft bill that would create a new legislative oversight committee for workers’ comp system. With the state’s market opening up to competition next July, critics of the oversight proposal fear it will scare private insurers. By Lawrence Messina, AP via Times West Virginian (Fairmont, W.V.)
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BWC Finds No Wrongdoing in Case Tied to Sex Harassment Claims
An investigation by the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation finds nothing “illegal or improper” involving allegations by four police officers that the city intentionally changed their workers’ comp claims. The allegations are part of a lawsuit draft involving sexual harassment claims against a police captain by the officers. By Denise Wilson, Middletown Journal
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