Quote of the day
"Wyoming's Workers' Compensation Act is pretty liberal with statutes of limitations. A guy who gets injured, he can potentially receive lifetime benefits for that injury, as he should."
Steve Emery, Casper, Wyo., attorney
More Details on Youth Prison Guard’s Suspected Fraud
A 32-year-old former counselor at the Sacramento County Preston Youth Correctional Facility faces several counts of workers’ compensation fraud for allegedly bilking the state out of more than $150,000 in benefits. Eight days after an alleged 2005 attack against him by a youth inmate, investigators found that the guard allegedly had enrolled in and completed a 45-hour correspondence course with the California Department of Real Estate to get a real estate license. By Stan Oklobdzija, Sacramento Bee [may require registration] Go to the Full Story…
Workers’ Comp Is Why Inmates Don’t Clean Up Stanislaus Roads
Stanislaus County covers jail inmates with workers’ compensation; but some years back, county leaders decided that Caltrans should bear that risk if it wants to benefit from the county’s inmate labor, such as for highway cleanup. But Caltrans says it cannot afford the cost of workers’ comp, so the taxpayers foot ruinous bills for Caltrans’ litter removal efforts. By Jeff Jardine, Modesto Bee
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NCCI: Louisiana’s Rates on the Way Down
Louisiana’s workers’ compensation insurance rates are falling again, according to a recent report from the National Council on Compensation Insurance. Last year, Louisiana’s workers’ compensation rates dropped 15.8 percent, the largest decrease in the 36 states using the council filing report.
Go to the full story in WBRZ-TV (Baton Rouge)
Go to the full story in National Underwriter
Are Injured Wyoming Workers Collecting Enough in Benefits?
Under Wyoming’s workers’ compensation system, claims analysts must apply a fixed standard when determining fair compensation for a workplace injury, but results may differ greatly due to the complex nature and consequence of individual circumstances. A state AFL-CIO officer contends permanent total and permanent partial disabilities should be revised to reflect injured workers’ actual work life expectancy. By Dustin Bleizeffer, Jackson Hole Star-Tribune
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Advocates Say Burden of Proof Brutalizes Injured Wyoming Workers
Workers and attorneys allege that Wyoming’s workers’ compensation program seems to have an unspoken policy to put off or deny claims and medical bills until the injured person has met a nearly impossible burden of proof. But not everyone agrees the system is stacked against workers. By Dustin Bleizeffer, Casper Star-Tribune
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Bay State Governor Unearths Underground Economy
Crediting unions for bringing the problem to light, Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick signs an executive order establishing a joint task force intended to expose the underground economy and level the playing field for law-abiding businesses. By Kathryn Koch, Wicked Local Plymouth [with photo] Go to the Full Story…
Diacetyl Probes Underway in Big Apple, Emerald City
A federal investigation into the hazards facing cooks exposed to artificial butter flavoring diacetyl is underway in New York City restaurants while in Seattle state worker-safety agents are starting a similar inquiry. By Andrew Schneider, Seattle Post-Intelligencer
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U.K.: Corporate Manslaughter Act Takes Effect Next Month
When the U.K.’s long-awaited Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 goes into force in early April, employers that have the highest fatality rates, including construction and agriculture, may be subject to unlimited fines. Personnel Today (U.K.)
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Return-to-Work the Goal of U.K. Health-Work Director
Dame Carol Black, the U.K.s national director for health and work, believes an overhaul of Britain’s “sick note” system is needed. Her report calls for universally available, stronger and more integrated services designed to detect problems early and allow people to continue working.
Go to the full story in the BBC
Go to the full story by Nigel Hawkes, Times Online (U.K.) [with photo] Go to the full story in IntheNews.co.uk [with photo]