Quote of the day
"There's only so much you can charge for your services."
Rusty Hires, owner of a South Carolina driver training school; workers' comp rates in the state will rise nearly 10 percent this summer
Some Palmetto Employers Fret Rate Boost
For many small South Carolina businesses, workers’ compensation is one of the biggest expenses after payroll. While rates will be increasing nearly 10 percent starting this summer, the good news is that the that increase is far less than the nearly 24-percent average increase proposed by Florida-based National Council on Compensation Insurance. By Peter Hull, Charleston Post and Courier
Go to the Full Story…
Ohio A.G. Steps Down in Sex Harassment Scandal
After nearly two weeks of resisting calls to resign in the wake of a sexual harassment scandal, Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann leaves office in disgrace. Dann, a Democrat, rode the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation investment scandals into office in 2006.
Go to the full story by Jim Provance, Toledo Blade [with photos, audio] Go to the full story in the Columbus Dispatch [with photo]
Costs Undermine Safety Achievements for Pennsylvania Borough
More than one year after the borough and the McConnellsburg, Pa., volunteer fire department established more safety policies and procedures aimed at cutting workers’ compensation claims, their efforts have worked very well but costs for the insurance have continued to soar. By Jean Snyder, Fulton County News
Go to the Full Story…
New York Man Admits Painkiller Fraud
A Perinton, N.Y., man who said he was prescribed the painkiller OxyContin for a work-related injury admits that he conspired with family members to illegally sell it. The defendants who have pleaded guilty are liable for $216,000 in restitution to three health-care insurers and the state Workers’ Compensation Board for payments they made for the prescriptions. By Michael Zeigler, Rochester and Democrat
Go to the Full Story…
Ground Rules of Sponsoring Company Sports Teams
Whether the question concerns workers’ comp for employees injured in a company-sponsored game or liability for the injuries of a third party, the basic question is the same: How closely is the company tied to the team or the sporting event? By Jane Easter Bahls and Steven C. Bahls, Entrepreneur Magazine
Go to the Full Story…
Worker Sues Employer over Boiler-Explosion Injuries
A 52-year-old worker for International Paper in Redwood, Miss., sues his employer over injuries he received when a boiler exploded earlier this month. One worker was killed and 18 other employees were injured in the incident, which International Paper says occurred after the boiler was restarted after having been shut down. By AP via WXVT-TV (Jackson, Miss.)
Go to the Full Story…