Quote of the day
"There are companies who judge their workers' comp function on how many cases they can successfully challenge and what's the lowest cost they can pay for medication. That's myopic thinking."
John Burton, professor emeritus at Rutgers University School of Management and Labor Relations
Arizona Chamber Protests Workers’ Comp Proposal
Arizona State Rep. Russell Pearce, who wants to prevent injured illegal alien workers from collecting workers’ compensation, runs into opposition from the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which fears lawsuits more than payouts. The lawmaker contends many employers do only the minimum to ascertain whether their workers are legal. By Howard Fischer, Arizona Star
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West Virginia’s Exclusive Comp Insurer Pays Commissions to Agents
West Virginia employers have only one option for workers’ compensation insurance: BrickStreet Mutual Insurance. But the company has begun paying 4-percent commissions on workers’ comp policies to insurance agents who represent it, to the tune of an expected $20 million annually. By George Hohmann, Charleston Daily Mail
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How Marriott Cut Workers’ Comp Drug Costs
It’s difficult for employers to control escalating prescription drug costs in health care plans and even harder in workers’ compensation plans. Here is how Marriott International, which self-insures for workers’ comp and administers the program itself, got a handle on the problem. By Elizabeth Agnvall, SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management)
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Toronto Branded ‘High-Risk’ Employer
Ontario’s Ministry of Labour declares the City of Toronto a “high-risk” employer because of its poor health and safety record. As a result, the city is subject to more intensive and more frequent safety inspections, and pays higher workers’ comp premiums. By John Spears, Toronto Star
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Canada: WCB Probes Cancer Claims by Shipyard Workers
Workers’ compensation officials in Newfoundland and Labrador say they will fully investigate complaints from 15 former Marystown Shipyard workers who say workplace exposure to asbestos and toxic chemicals caused their lung, stomach and bowel cancers. CBC News [With Photo] Go to the Full Story…
Employee Misclassification a Concern in Western New York
In the Elmira, N.Y. area, illegally classifying regular workers as independent contractors is apparently on the rise in the construction industry. Scofflaws do it to exempt themselves from paying compensation or disability payments, which are based on the number of workers employed. By G. Jeffrey Aaron, Elmira Star-Gazette
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Idaho Bills Target Law Enforcement
Two bills pending in the Idaho Legislature address compensation of injured law enforcement personnel, who often receive more assistance from homegrown fundraisers than from the state. But questions arise as to which job-related injuries the state should cover. By Cassidy Friedman, Times-News (Twin Falls, Idaho) [With Photo] Go to the Full Story…