Quote of the day
"Compliance is more likely to occur when the requirements of the law are spelled out. Out-of-state employers need to have certainty regarding this issue."
Diane Fowler, executive director of Professional Insurance Agents associations of Connecticut, New Hampshire, New Jersey and New York State Inc., regarding New York's workers' comp reform legislation that the agents contend subjects out-of-state clients to new, confusing and costly coverage and enforcement exposures
Florida Man Gets Decade Behind Bars for Workers’ Comp Fraud
A 52-year-old Charlotte County, Fla., man receives a sentence of 10 years in prison in connection with his conviction for workers’ compensation fraud. He was arrested after insurance investigators recorded him moving boxes into a van while claiming to be injured; he eventually collected $91,000 in disability benefits. WBBH-TV (Cape Coral/Fort Myers/Naples) [with photo] Go to the Full Story…
Agents’ Group Wants Fix to New York’s Workers’ Comp Reform
The Professional Insurance Agents associations of Connecticut, New Hampshire, New Jersey and New York State jointly ask for legislation in New York that would fix a problem linked to last year’s reform law that, they contend, subjects some out-of-state clients to new, confusing and costly coverage and enforcement exposures. Insurance & Financial Advisor
Go to the Full Story…
Employers Need Clear Return-to-Work Policy: Consultant
Workers’ compensation consultant Margaret Spence writes that without a clear return to work policy, good documentation and written communication with injured employees, employers are setting their programs up for failure. A successful return-to-work program should not be a secret. American Chronicle
Go to the Full Story…
Mountain State Commissioner Clarifies ‘Deliberate Intent’ Insurance
West Virginia State Insurance Commissioner Jane Cline issues a memo intended to help insurers and employers understand how “deliberate intent” insurance is handled in the state. The issue has been around for nearly 30 years, since the state’s high court ruled that employers could be sued if they deliberately intended to cause injury or death to workers on the job and failed to provide a safe workplace. The memo explains that such claims are made outside of the workers’ compensation system. By George Hohmann, Charleston Daily Mail
Go to the Full Story…
West Virginia Doctor Stands Trial for Suspected $579K Fraud
An osteopath who is charged with 29 counts of defrauding Medicare, Medicaid and the West Virginia workers’ compensation system out of more than $570,000, is on trial in U.S. District Court. If convicted, the 67-year-old doctor faces up to 10 years in prison, in addition to fines. By AP via Charleston Daily Mail
Go to the Full Story…
Northern Colorado City May Adjust Deductible to Cut Expenses
Fort Morgan, Colo., holds a special meeting to discuss its options for lowering workers’ compensation insurance premiums. The city’s director of human resources and risk management is recommending adjusting its deductible from $500 to $2,500 per claim in order to lower premiums in the long run.
Go to the full story by John Brennan, Fort Morgan Times
Go to the full editorial in the Fort Morgan Times
Injured Toronto Bus Driver Denied Accident Benefits After Opting Out of Workers’ Comp
The Financial Services Commission of Ontario dismisses the appeal of a ruling that an injured worker opted out of workers’ compensation benefits to launch an action against an insurer for the sole purpose of seeking accident benefits. The worker was driving a bus in Toronto when it was rear-ended, causing him neck pain; the worker’s doctor expected him to “fully recover” within several weeks. Canadian Underwriter
Go to the Full Story…