Quote of the day
"We realized the situation had gotten out of control. We immediately began a massive training program to fix the problem."
Anne Turner, Santa Cruz Library Director, which has experienced a dramatic reduction in on-the-job injuries during the past few years
Santa Cruz Library Chips Away at Workers’ Comp Claims
Only three new workers’ compensation claims were filed by employees of the Santa Cruz Library in 2007, compared with the record high of 18 in 2002, which cost the library system about $1.5 million. Taking regular breaks and stretching is mandatory, and work stations are now custom-fit for individual workers. By Shanna McCord, Santa Cruz Sentinel
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Cowboy State Mayor Spurs Discussion on Liability Statutes
Riverton, Wyo., Mayor John Vincent is asking legislators to launch an interim study to consider whether they should re-instate “joint and several liability” statutes that deal with degrees of liability in workplace deaths and injuries. Vincent has documented a profound difference in recourse available to workers and their families depending upon whether an accident occurred on tribal lands or on state, federal and private leases in the state’s jurisdiction. By Dustin Bleizeffer, Casper Star-Tribune
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Advocates Blast Ontario’ Temp Worker Loophole
A Toronto Star investigation finds that Ontario employers that use temporary workers have no incentive to provide safer workplaces, because their experience rating is not affected when a temp gets hurt on the job. But officials are taking steps to close the loophole. By Moira Welsh, Toronto Star [with photo] Go to the Full Story…
Workers’ Comp Case to Test Power of Palmetto State Governor
The South Carolina Supreme Court will hear a case that will decide whether the state’s governor can trump the legislature’s overhaul of the workers’ compensation system. Last year, Gov. Mark Sanford ordered workers’ comp commissioners to use standards he set in determining benefits, even though the legislature had rejected them, and that sparked a federal lawsuit. By Jim Davenport, AP via Myrtle Beach Sun
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Tall Time for Florida Businessman Convicted of Fraud
A 60-year-old Jacksonville, Fla.-area businessman faces a possible 165 years in prison and a $5.9 million fine after being convicted in a nationwide workers’ compensation insurance scheme. Testimony established that he conspired with insurance brokers and consultants, and owners and operators of professional employer organizations, to provide client companies with sham workers’ comp coverage. Daytona Beach News-Gazette
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South Australia Officials Asked to Release Workers’ Comp Review
The South Australian opposition party is urging the state government to release a review into WorkCover, the state’s workers’ compensation scheme. The Government has had the results since the start of the year and plans to legislate reforms this year. Business groups want some benefits for injured workers to be cut to help reduce WorkCover’s unfunded liability, while unions are opposed to a change. ABC.net [with photo] Go to the Full Story…
Commentary: ‘Deliberate Intent’ Is Mountain State’s Next Hurdle
West Virginia’s landmark privatization law not only updated an archaic and flawed system, but also sent a message to Wall Street that the state is serious about getting its economic house in order. The state legislature has another important step to take to complete the reform: the issue of “deliberate intent,” and how state law defines that legal term. Charleston Daily Mail
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Sugar Plant Victims Face Potential Delay in Claims
Families of workers killed in the recent Georgia sugar refinery explosion may face a hurdle similar to that seen after the Sept. 11 terror attacks: Death certificates needed as evidence for life insurance claims could be delayed. Rome News-Tribune
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