News Digest 6-18-2020

Quote of the day

“We normally make our annual dividend decision in September and distribute checks in November, but these are not normal times.”

Michael Bourque, MEMIC’s president and CEO

Portland Press Herald

 

 

Maine: MEMIC Group to pay out $17M dividend

The MEMIC Group plans to pay a $17 million dividend to its members in the coming weeks, with the average employer receiving more than $1,100, the company has announced. More than two dozen employers are expected to receive checks greater than $40,000. Portland Press Herald

 

Florida: $27.6M workers’ comp premium refund announced

Florida’s chief financial officer has announced that $27.6 million in workforce premiums will be refunded to around 13,000 policyholders with the Florida Workers’ Compensation Joint Underwriting Association. The refund follows a recently-authorized a $6.4 million policyholder refund for the 2013 policy year. Florida Politics

 

Ohio law allows corrections officers to collect workers’ comp if exposed to bodily fluids from inmates

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine this week signed into law a bill that allows corrections officers and other staff members to apply for workers’ compensation if they are exposed to an inmate’s blood or bodily fluids while working. CorrectionsOne

 

Workers’ comp in the transportation industry, during the COVID-19 era

The pandemic has disrupted transportation in many ways, both directly and indirectly. Trucking companies that were handling workers’ compensation claims before the coronavirus pandemic may find resolution of these claims stalled for reasons that have nothing to do with the injury, writes Lori Ilgenfritz, of Gallagher Bassett. Transport Topics

 

Essential employees begging for workers’ comp

A medical staff shuttle driver who contracted a severe case of COVID-19, and two other essential employees in the healthcare industry, testified Wednesday before a virtual joint hearing of the Connecticut Legislature about their difficulty collecting workers’ compensation for their work-related illnesses. CT News Junkie