Quote of the day
"Lost within the continuous political hype, innuendo, conjecture, attacks and unsubstantiated allegations are the facts and how North Dakota's workers' compensation system is actually performing. Unfortunately all the hype has not been about the facts nor has it been about the results."
John Halvorson, interim executive director and CEO of Workforce Safety and Insurance
Judge Clears Keystone State Miners to Proceed with Suit
Eight of the miners trapped underground in 2002 when a western Pennsylvania mineshaft flooded can continue their suit against the firm that controlled the mine, as can six other miners who narrowly escaped being trapped by the underground deluge, an Allegheny County judge rules. Federal and state investigators determined inaccurate maps of previous mining in the area 60 miles southeast of Pittsburgh caused the miners to dig into an abandoned mine. By Joe Mandak, Sentinel
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Florida Insurance Commissioner Orders $4.2 Million Repayment
In Florida, where workers’ compensation insurers are required by law to return profits that exceed 5 percent, Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty orders six carriers to return $4.2 million in excess profits to their policyholders. American Interstate Insurance Co. and Church Mutual Insurance Co. owe the lion’s share. South Florida Business Journal
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Trusts Advised to Recognize Doctors’ Mental Health Problems
Health trusts in the U.K. must boost occupational health services to tackle mental illness among doctors, many of whom don’t get timely help or treatment, according to a new a government report. Doctors are at greater risk of mental health problems than the general public, with higher rates of suicide, particularly among women, anaesthetists, GPs and psychiatrists. OnMedica.com (U.K.)
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WSI Exec: ‘The Sky Is Not Falling’
John Halvorson, interim boss of North Dakota’s embattled workers’ comp agency, Workforce Safety and Insurance, answers an editorial that he characterizes as part of “continuous political hype, innuendo, conjecture, attacks and unsubstantiated allegations” regarding the agency. Bismarck Tribune
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Opinion: Letter Writer Blasts ‘Crooked’ System Under WSI
A North Dakotan who has had it up to here with the state’s workers’ comp system under the helm of Workforce Safety and Insurance has his say. By Darrell Graf, Bismarck Tribune
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BWC Catches Scofflaws in the Act
Most Ohioans who get hurt on the job receive benefits, recover and go back to work, but there are some who file fraudulent claims. Here’s some interesting video taken by Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Comp investigators. WBNS-TV (Columbus) [with video, slideshow] Go to the Full Story…
Hartford Jury Deliberates in AIG Case
A jury finishes its third day of deliberations on the fate of five insurance executives accused of putting together a sham reinsurance deal to artificially bolster the financial picture of American International Group. They face a multi-count indictment including conspiracy to violate federal securities laws and commit mail fraud. National Underwriter
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