Quote of the day
"They've been paying full price for their premiums. And now they're going to bail out people who've been paying extremely discounted premiums?"
Richard Honen, Albany, N.Y., attorney, who represents a group of 13 trusts suing the New York State Workers' Compensation Board, which wants them to cover benefits to injured workers who had been covered by failed trusts administered by CRM
New York: Trust ‘Bailout’ Sparks Legal Battle
This fall, soon as this fall, employers in New York’s Capital Region will face hefty bills from the state Workers’ Compensation Board, to make up for years of underpayment into self-insured workers’ compensation trusts. In the meantime, solvent self-insured trusts are being asked to cover the failed trusts’ costs, triggering a legal battle. By Eric Anderson, Albany Times-Union
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Upstate New York Teacher Charged with Workers’ Comp Fraud
A 52-year-old Utica, N.Y. woman faces a potential 15-year prison sentence after authorities charge her with fraudulently collecting nearly $53,000 in workers’ compensation benefits related to a purported allergic reaction, while working as an elementary school reading teacher for the Utica City School District.
Go to the full story in the North Country Gazette (Chestertown, N.Y.)
Go to the full story in Newsday (Melville, N.Y.)
Postal Service Contractor Faces Fraud Charges
An audit of Albany, N.Y.-area trucking company finds that the company, which transports mail for the U.S. Postal Service underreported its payroll by $2.2 million, costing the state more than $300,000 in lost workers’ compensation premiums, State Insurance Fund officials say.
Go to the full story in Newsday (Melville, N.Y.)
Go to the full story in the Business Review (Albany)
NCCI: Residual Workers’ Comp Premiums Down
Workers’ compensation premiums written in the residual market fell 17% to $1 billion during 2007, NCCI Holdings Inc. reports, marking the third straight year of residual market declines in the 28 states and the District of Columbia that NCCI provides services. By Roberto Ceniceros, Business Insurance
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Editorial: Michigan Court Ruling Will Protect Gains
For decades, Michigan was known for lax standards in defining and awarding disability benefits, driving up costs for employers. But the state has improved its workers’ compensation costs significantly in comparison to other states, and a new ruling by the Michigan Supreme Court regarding return-to-work standards will protect that trend. Detroit News
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Buckeye State Safety Council Cuts Costs for Members
About 50 Greene County, Ohio businesses are reducing their workers’ compensation premiums as a result of their involvement with a safety council, says the president of the area chamber of commerce. By Aaron Keith Harris, Greene County Dailies
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S.A. Partnership Focuses on Miners’ Lung Ailments
South Africa’s Department of Health is expected to sign a multi-party agreement intended to benefit former mineworkers who are seeking compensation for asbestos-related lung diseases. The partnership seeks to establish more occupational health centers in public hospitals where ex-mineworkers undergo the medical examinations required for workers’ comp claims. By Gabi Khumalo, BuaNews/AllAfrica.com
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Workers’ Comp Is One Variable for Minnesota School District
Part of the reason a Minnesota school district recently has faced higher proposed premiums is that staff have sought workers’ compensation at rates far above the industry average. According to one district official, sprains, strains, sore backs and minor injuries inflicted from struggles with students are often to blame for the claims. By Cynthya Porter, Winona Post
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Mountain State Market Opening Soon
Starting July 1, West Virginia’s previously private workers’ compensation system will open to any company that meets state requirements, and Insurance Commissioner Jane Cline has a list of about 150 companies ready to open their books. According to Cline, privatization has been successful: rates have gone down more than 30%, on average.
Go to the full story by George Hohmann, Charleston Daily Mail
Go to the full story in WV Metro News [with audio]