Quote of the day
“We’ve said since the beginning of this pandemic we would do our best to relieve the financial pressures employers are facing in this unprecedented time. This is our latest step and I’m grateful to Ohio’s employer community, our stakeholders, and our staff for putting us in a strong position to help.”
Ohio BWC Administrator Stephanie McCloud
Ohio defers due dates for workers’ compensation premiums
In an effort to take some financial pressure off businesses struggling amid the pandemic, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced Thursday the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation is extending premium due dates for June, July and August, the second such extension since the outbreak started. Columbus Business First
Ohio county receives $113K workers’ comp premium refund
The Richland County, Ohio commission earlier this week learned that the county has received a $113,000 net refund on Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation premiums from 2018, amid continued projections of lower sales tax revenue caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. While the total refund was around $264,000, $150,000 was deducted for retroactive claim payments. Mansfield News Journal
Healthcare employees make up majority of COVID-19 workers’ comp claims in two Washington counties
Nearly 85 percent of workers’ compensation claims related to COVID-19 filed from Washington’s Whatcom and Skagit counties were from healthcare employees, according to state data. Since the pandemic began, 56 Whatcom healthcare employees reportedly have tested positive; more than half were associated with skilled nursing or long-term care facilities. Bellingham Herald
Boston frontline employees say they’re entitled to workers’ comp presumption
The Boston City Council this week heard testimony from healthcare employees who argue employers should presume that if they contract COVID-19, they are entitled to a presumption it’s job-related. Boston Business Journal
Maryland justices hold workers’ comp settlements do not bind dependents
The Maryland Court of Appeals this week told employers and their insurers when settling workers’ compensation claims they should ensure the injured employees and their dependents are parties to the settlement, or the companies and underwriters could face a subsequent claim from the workers’ families. Maryland Daily Record [may require registration]