Quote of the day
"The workers' compensation insurance market in New York remains quite profitable. Without a greater commitment on the part of workers' compensation carriers in New York to fight fraud, this department is hard pressed to justify any new overall average rate increases."
New York State Insurance Superintendent Howard Mills
Tips to Make Most of Workers’ Comp Reforms
Diana B. Henderson, president of The Henderson Group, a Newport Beach workers’ compensation consulting firm, offers tips to employers to help them improve their workers’ comp bottom line within the framework of California’s system overhaul. Orange County Register
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Empire State Rejects Insurers’ Request for Rate Boost
New York State Insurance Superintendent Howard Mills rejects a request by insurance companies to increase workers’ compensation rates by 7.5 percent, contending that it is unwarranted in light of the state-regulated industry’s weak anti-fraud efforts. The state granted a 5-percent increase last year and a 1.7 percent increase in 2003.
Go to the full story By AP via Newsday
Go to the full story in the Albany Business Journal
Fitch Affirms Everest Re’s Ratings
Citing the company’s “diversified underwriting portfolio in primary insurance and reinsurance markets, and favorable operating performance and good capital position,” Fitch Ratings affirms all ratings related to Everest Re Group, Ltd., including the A+ issuer default rating and “A” senior debt rating of intermediate holding company, Everest Reinsurance Holdings, Inc. Workers’ Comp Executive
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Treasurer Hopeful Blasts Ohio Workers’ Comp Bureau
The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ compensation unfairly costs businesses money as a result of “foolish and unsupervised investments” that are politically-motivated, according to candidate for state treasurer Richard Cordray, a Democrat. By Alan Johnson, Columbus Dispatch
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Washington Fraud Detection Unit Saves State Millions
A revamped fraud detection unit in the Washington Department of Labor and Industries’ workers’ compensation program is on track to collect more than $130 million in overpayments for fiscal year 2006, says fraud and compliance manager Carl Hammersburg, who recently won the Governor’s Award for Leadership in Management. The unit’s work also has resulted in a 14 percent increase in worker investigations. By Ingrid Stegemoeller, the Olympian (Olympia, Wash.) [With Photo] Go to the Full Story…
Alberta WCB Bites Back at Dog Owner
The Alberta Workers Compensation Board and a Winnipeg animal control officer are suing a local dog owner over a 2004 attack that occurred when the officer went to the dog owner’s home to legally seize it. The WCB wants compensation for a claim it paid out to the officer as a result of his alleged injuries.
Go to the full story by Jeff Keele, CJOB News (Winnipeg) [With Audio] Go to the full story in the Winnipeg Sun
Quarter of Mountain State Employers Delinquent: BrickStreet
About one-fourth of all employers in West Virginia failed to pay workers’ compensation premiums that were due last week, according to a BrickStreet Mutual Insurance Company spokesman. The agency says the delinquent employers have until the end of month before their policies are canceled.
Go to the full story by George Hohmann, Charleston Daily Mail
Go to the full story by Fred Pace, Beckley Register-Herald