Quote of the day
“The door is still open to getting to a bipartisan solution.”
Maine state Sen. Shenna Bellows, regarding workers’ compensation legislation
Bangor Daily News
New workers’ compensation battle looms in Maine
More than 20 bills aimed at the workers’ compensation system have been filed this year in Maine. One bill would eliminate a cap on maximum benefits now equal to the average state weekly wage; another would reinstitute a cost-of-living increase in place prior to 1991; while still another would remove a 500-week cap on death benefits. Republicans say they were left out of a partial compromise. Bangor Daily News
Minnesota county expects $167K dividend
Becker County, Minnesota will receive a 2018 dividend of nearly $167,000 from its insurance trust, partly as a result of fewer workers’ compensation claims by county employees. Just over half came from sheriff’s office and jail operations and highway departments, according to the risk management consultant for the Minnesota Counties Insurance Trust. Detroit Lakes Online
Illinois remains high-cost state for workers’ comp: WCRI
According to a recent study by Massachusetts-based Workers Compensation Research Institute, which studied Illinois and 17 other states, Illinois remains a high-price state for workers’ compensation. WCRI found the costs are driven by substantial attorney involvement in cases and medical-legal bills. In more recent years, Illinois’ rates have fallen and, according a report published in 2018, the state now has the 21st highest insurance premium, well above neighboring Indiana, which has the second lowest rate in the country. Madison-St. Clair Record
Indiana legislative committee to address unpaid employment taxes
In Indiana, two reports, one by the Indiana Building Trades and Construction Council, and a second from the Indiana Department of Revenue and Workforce Development and the Workers’ Compensation Board, recently addressed worker classification. As a result, a legislative study committee will look at how to deal with potential lost revenue to the state as a result of misclassification. The BTCC study estimates the loss to the state at $400 million, while the state finds significantly lower numbers. Chicago Tribune/Post-Tribune
Massachusetts man accused of targeting elderly in contracting scheme
A Pembroke, Massachusetts roofing contractor is charged with accused of defrauding nearly 50 homeowners of more than $250,000. The indictment states he forged customers’ signatures on contracts to obtain building permits, used fake names to pick up jobs and failed to carry workers’ compensation insurance. The victims of the contracting scheme were mostly elderly, prosecutors say. Enterprise (Brockton, Mass.)