Quote of the day
"I haven't noticed any difference so far."
Dr. Robert Henderson, a Texas physician, who performed surgery on an injured worker for free after the insurer denied the workers' comp claim, about the Lone Star State's nine-month old workers' compensation system overhaul
Go to the full story in KVUE-TV (Austin)
DWC Asks Injures Workers, Docs to Participate in Study
The California Division of Workers’ Compensation is asking injured workers and physicians to take part in a UCLA study about access to medical care in the workers’ compensation system. Workers’ Comp Executive
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Doctors, Patients Blast Lone Star State’s ‘Farce’ of an Overhaul
Nine months after an overhaul of the Texas workers’ compensation system, in which state lawmakers abolished the old workers’ comp commission and handed over operations to the Texas Department of Insurance, many doctors and their patients say the new system is replete with medical gridlock and new law is a failure. By Brett Shipp, KVUE-TV (Austin) [With Photo] Go to the Full Story…
Comp Program Recognizes East Texas Schools for Safety
Workers’ compensation program East Texas Educational Insurance Association recognizes several schools for success in implementing safety programs designed to prevent employee injuries. The program, with more than 472 participating schools, reportedly has assisted them in avoiding over 17,778 employee injuries since 1991. Tri County Leader (Whitehouse, Texas)
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Ohio BWC Fires Auditor KPMG for ‘Unacceptable Pace’
The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation fires its longtime auditor KPMG after the firm refuses to release its 2005 coin fund review before the conclusion of all criminal investigations related to the bureau’s investment scandal, claiming such a release would violate industry standards.
Go to the full story by Steve Eder and James Drew, Toledo Blade
Go to the full story by Julie Carr Smyth, AP via Akron Beacon Journal
Hundreds of West Virginia Firms Lose Comp Coverage
A total of 549 West Virginia employers no longer have workers’ compensation insurance because they failed to pay their premiums by March 31, according to state Insurance Commissioner Jane Cline. By George Hohmann, Charleston Daily Mail
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West Virginia WCC Review Board Member Sued for Inadequate Representation
A Charleston, W.V. couple is suing a member of the West Virginia Workers’ Compensation Board of Review, claiming he did not adequately represent them during the eight years he handled a civil case against them because he failed to clear the way for them to switch their construction loan to a standard residential mortgage. By John O’Brien, West Virginia Record
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Smoke Break Scuffle Injuries Covered, Arkansas High Court Rules
Reversing the Arkansas Workers’ Compensation Commission, the Arkansas Supreme Court rules that an employment specialist who was injured when he fell during a scuffle with a client while on a smoking break can collect workers’ compensation because his injuries occurred within the time and space boundaries of his job. Arkansas News Bureau
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Washington Farm Bureau Asks Gov to Investigate Raid
Reacting to a multi-agency raid at a small seafood processing company in Chinook, Wash., that led to the arrest of 16 suspected illegal alien workers, the Washington State Farm Bureau asks Gov. Christine Gregoire to look into the state’s involvement in the raid. The involvement of the Washington Labor and Industries Department stemmed from allegations of possible case of workers’ compensation fraud connected to a state trooper. By Cookson Beecher, Capital Press
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Alberta WCB Targets Most Common Injury
Alberta’s Workers’ Compensation Board, in an effort to cut claims and increase worker health, launches a campaign urging people to keep active, with swimming and yoga, for example, when dealing with back injuries. Back injuries are the most frequent and costly claim the WCB handles, accounting for a quarter of all claims last year. By Canadian Press via OHS Canada
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