Quote of the day
"I can tell you that the inappropriate sexual proposal was made according to two witness statements."
Justin Pennington, an Albuquerque attorney representing a female worker who was the subject of an alleged sexual proposal by workers' comp judge
New Mexico Comp Judge in Hot Water over Alleged Proposition
A New Mexico Workers’ Compensation Administration judge goes on paid leave while the agency investigates an allegation that he made an inappropriate sexual proposal to an injured worker immediately after serving as a mediator in a video conference. By AP via Santa Fe New Mexican
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Arizona Senate Approves Benefit Boost
Without dissent, the Arizona Senate preliminarily approves the first hike in payments to injured workers since 1999. They would be able to collect up to $2,000 a month, $400 more than under current law.
Go to the full story by Howard Fischer, Yuma Sun
Go to the full story by AP via Arizona Republic
S.C. Compromise Includes Penalties for Misclassification
Employers who misclassify workers to avoid insurance premiums would face fines and prison time under South Carolina legislators’ agreement to overhaul the state’s workers’ compensation system. In addition to toughening fraud penalties, the legislation calls for new standards on injury reporting and what is covered, and phases out the state’s second injury fund. By Jim Davenport, AP via the State (Columbia, S.C.)
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Missouri’s Workers’ Comp Director Says She’s Being Forced Out
The director of the Division of Workers’ Compensation of the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations submits her resignation, but says it’s not her idea to leave office. By David A. Lieb, AP via St. Louis Post-Dispatch
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Minnesota Labor Commish Leaves for Private Sector
Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry Commissioner Scott Brener is stepping down next month to take a job with an insurance company, Gov. Tim Pawlenty announces. By AP via Rochester Post-Bulletin
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House Bill Splits Insurance Industry
With the American Academy of Actuaries having estimated that insured losses from a nuclear, biological, chemical or radiological attack could top $700 billion, the issue of how to cover the losses from such a doomsday scenario is holding up a House bill to renew the federal backstop for terrorism insurance and pitting large and small insurers against each other. By Jessica Holzer, the Hill
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Audit: Ohio BWC Funds at Risk of ‘Error, Loss or Misappropriation’
The scandal-plagued Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation’s chief internal auditor says it’s unclear if $637 million that has passed through the agency’s prescription drug program since 2002 was properly spent by an outside company hired to administer pharmacy benefits. Moreover, “The status of BWC funds designated to providers or injured workers is unknown,” according to the audit, which could mean delays in benefits. By James Drew and Steve Eder, Toledo Blade
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Texas Vessel Worker Sues for Benzene Exposure
A 30-year veteran of various sea vessels on the Gulf of Mexico sues several ship owners, claiming that from 1969 to 1999, he was exposed to lymphatic lymphoma-causing benzene. The lawsuit alleges that the defendants negligently failed to provide safety equipment or monitor workers. By Marilyn Tennissen, Southeast Texas Record
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