Quote of the day
"Before privatization, you paid millions of dollars to hire lawyers to defend you against workers' comp claims against you."
T.J. Obrokta, vice president and general counsel of BrickStreet Mutual Insurance Co., West Virginia's exclusive workers' comp insurer, which took over the state system last year
Dueling Doctors in Oklahoma
In Oklahoma, Republican legislators want to significantly overhaul the entire workers’ compensation court system while Democrats want to reverse part of a 2005 reform package. The breakdown again appears to be over the issue of “dueling doctors.” Norman Transcript
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N.D. House Declines to Overhaul Workers’ Comp Agency
The North Dakota House of Representatives rejects a proposal to revamp the state’s workers compensation agency, Workforce Safety and Insurance, give the governor authority to appoint its director. The North Dakota Senate has already turned down a similar proposal, instead endorsing changes regarding how board members are chosen. By AP via the Forum (Fargo)
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Bay State Jailer Charged with Comp Fraud
A Massachusetts jail guard and 16-year sheriff’s department veteran faces workers’ compensation fraud charges after allegedly continuing to work at his store while collecting more than $15,000 workers’ compensation payments for a purported injury. By Julie Manganis, Salem News
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West Virginia’s BrickStreet: ‘We Defend You’
Privatization of West Virginia’s workers’ compensation insurance system has produced one indisputable benefit for employers, according to BrickStreet Mutual Insurance Co.’s vice president and general counsel: they no longer need to hire lawyers to defend them against workers’ comp suits. By George Hohmann, Charleston Gazette
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Amendments Target Saskatchewan Health Care Workers
Saskatchewan health care workers will be the main focus of consultations on proposed changes to the province’s Occupational Health and Safety regulations. According to Worker’s Compensation Board data, the sector had nearly 2,500 lost time injuries totaling more than $12.25 million (USD) in compensation in 2005. Saskatoon Star-Phoenix
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First Asbestos Payouts May Begin This Week
Up to 10,000 potential asbestos victims are expected to receive nearly $3.09 billion (USD) in compensation over the next four decades under the deal approved by James Hardie Industries shareholders. The first payouts could begin this week. By Brad Norington, the Australian (Sydney)
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Show Me Court Poised to Hear Workers’ Comp Jurisdiction Case
The Missouri Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a case tomorrow that may help determine jurisdiction in workers’ compensation cases. By Rob Luke, Legal Newsline
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Vermont Senate to Hear Burden-Shifting Bill
A Vermont Senate committee will begin hearing testimony tomorrow on a bill that would shift the burden of proof in worker’s compensation claims from workers to the state. By Neal Goswami, Bennington Banner
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