Quote of the day
"Softening prices are pushing written premium growth in workers' compensation into negative territory, jeopardizing longer-term profitability,"
CompSource Oklahoma's Terry McCullar speaking about the state of the workers' comp market
Ohio AG Pondering Attorney Switch in Workers’ Comp Suit
Ohio Attorney General Nancy Rogers is considering scotching a defense firm hired by former AG Mark Dann. Ohio’s Bureau of Workers’ Compensation is being sued over how it sets premiums for employers. But it’s been revealed that the law firm tasked with defending against the lawsuit had been hit with a $2.5 million legal mal-practice judgment in 2005. By Mark Rollenhagen The Cleveland Plain Dealer
Go to the Full Story…
Coin Scandal Figure Challenges Conviction
A major player in the Ohio’s Bureau of Workers’ Compensation coin scandal seeks to over turn is conviction. Attorneys for Tom Noe say he was deprived of a fair trial because prosecutors failed to prove his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Noe was convicted on charges that he stole $50 million from a rare coin investment he managed for BWC. Associated Press
Go to the Full Story…
Sooner State Facing Challenge by Private Market
Oklahoma’s state created workers’ comp insurer is losing ground to private insurers according to the latest data. CompSource Oklahoma has been losing policies steadily since 2006. CompSource’s Terry McCullar seems unconcerned about the loss in market share saying it’s a sign of a competitive private market, but the success may be short-lived as they become victims of their own pricing. By Janice Francis Smith, The Journal Record
Go to the Full Story…
A Minnesota Reporter Discusses the Machinations of Workers’ Comp
Minneapolis TV reporter Rick Kupchella discusses in his column the inadequacies and inequalities of workers’ compensation in Minnesota. Despite the fact that the workers’ comp system is supposed to protect injured workers, the laws end up protecting companies that refuse to follow basic safety laws. Poynteronline
Go to the Full Story…
Idaho Fireman Can Proceed with Tort
A judge rules that a fireman can proceed with a lawsuit against the paramedic who injured him. In overturning a summary judgment, the Idaho Supreme Court ruled that the tort claim is not prohibited by either the fireman’s rule or workers’ comp. When the firefighter and the paramedic responded to the same emergency call, the paramedic whiling backing up the ambulance collided with a vehicle injuring the firefighter’s leg. The court ruled that both were required to respond to the emergency, but the firefighter’s conduct involved assisting a victim whereas the paramedic’s backing up of the ambulance did not require the firefighter’s official presence. International Fire Fighting News
Go to the Full Story…
Kentucky Chamber Plans Workers’ Comp Seminar
Kentucky’s Chamber of Commerce is planning its 18th Annual Workers’ Comp Seminar in Louisville on August 19 and Lexington on September 23. Business Journal
Go to the Full Story…