Jury decides asbestos in brake drums caused man’s mesothelioma, awards $20 million
A jury last week determined Ford brake drums containing asbestos caused a man to develop mesothelioma 53 years later and awarded him and his wife $10 million each. Attorneys for the 76-year-old argued Ford officials knew the asbestos-laden brake drums the plaintiff was installing from 1960 to 1968 contained asbestos and were hazardous, but ignored the danger. He was diagnosed in 2020. St. Louis Record
Pit & Quarry: Navigating new risks in workers’ comp
While workers’ compensation claims are increasing for mental distress and pandemic-related accidents, state regulatory agencies are expanding coverage to a presumption of the workplace origination of infections, medical cannabis use and other novel areas. Jeffrey Adelson, general counsel at Adelson McLean, discusses several areas of concern. Pit & Quarry
Arkansas workers’ comp rates to decrease in 2022
Arkansas Insurance Commissioner Alan McClain announced last week Arkansas businesses could see another rate decrease in workers’ compensation insurance in 2022. The agency has approved an average overall average workers’ comp voluntary market loss cost level decrease of 10.8% and a drop of 11% for the assigned risk market. The rate reduction will be effective July 1, 2022. Talk Business
Minnesota cites push for PTSD bill, but police and others say it won’t help
A wave of Minnesota police are leaving the field by getting disability pensions due to post-traumatic stress disorder, at an average age of 42, since George Floyd’s killing in 2020, their representatives told state lawmakers last week. They support a bill that would require police and firemen to get treatment for PTSD in order to get workers’ compensation or apply for disability pensions. However, former policeman, a union representative and partner at a Minneapolis law firm that represents most of the police getting those pensions said the bill would only hurt police more. Minnesota Reformer