Quote of the day
"It's a real David and Goliath situation."
Rapid City, S.D. lawyer Dennis Finch, about the experience of injured workers in the state's workers' comp system
Employers Insurance Group, Blue Cross Announce Collaboration
Employers Insurance Group has announced a new agreement with Blue Cross of California through which qualifying California companies can package workers’ compensation insurance and health coverage. Workers’ Comp Executive
Go to the Full Story…
Women Form Coalition to Reform South Dakota System
Two South Dakota women who say the state’s workers’ compensation system is impossibly complex for injured workers created the South Dakota Injured Workers Coalition last month, and they hope to use its influence to reform the system. Among other issues, both women said they have been “stalked” by investigators seeking to prove they are not disabled. By Tom Lawrence, Black Hills Pioneer
Go to the Full Story…
Illinois’ Workers’ Compensation Anti-Fraud Unit Takes First Steps
An investigative unit headed by a longtime Chicago police officer has begun investigating potentially fraudulent workers’ compensation claims in Illinois and is expected to begin referring cases to state prosecutors by early September. The agents will operate independent of the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission. Kane County Chronicle
Go to the Full Story…
Editorial: Ohio Scandal Is Legacy of One-Party Rule
The recently-disclosed efforts by Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation officials to keep news of the agency’s multi-million dollar investment losses from being revealed to the public is one more reminder of the legacy of insider dealing and one-party rule in the state over the past 16 years. Toledo Blade
Go to the Full Story…
New Rates, Policy Cancellations Not Hurting BrickStreet
Despite a rate hike and the cancellation of 4,000 policies for nonpayment of premiums, West Virginia’s BrickStreet Mutual, which took over the formerly-state-run system Jan. 1, has not been the subject of any complaints, according to the president of the state chamber of commerce. By George Hohmann, Charleston Daily Mail
Go to the Full Story…
Workplace Stress Attacks Bottom Lines
Stress-related workers’ compensation claims are on the rise in Australia and now make up one-quarter of the total claims costs. If reducing employees’ suffering by implementing wellness plans isn’t enough of a motivator, CEOs should recognize the potential savings in reduced comp claims, absenteeism and staff turnover. By Rob Moodie, the Age (Australia)
Go to the Full Story…
Commentary: Albany and Washington Should Be Prepared to Step In
One of the three bills signed this week by New York Gov. George Pataki allows a portion of a $50 million federal grant to the state to pay for medical treatment of Ground Zero rescue workers, while claimants’ insurer and workers’ compensation claims are being processed. If and when future costs become exorbitant, state and federal officials must be prepared to intervene. Journal News (White Plains, N.Y.)
Go to the Full Story…
Yellowknife Pleads Not Guilty in Firefighter Deaths
The city of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories pleads not guilty to charges connected with the deaths of two firefighters a year and a half ago. The N.W.T. Workers’ Compensation Board alleges that the defendants failed to take proper steps to protect the firefighters’ safety. CBC News (Canada)
Go to the Full Story…
A.M. Best Affirms Ratings of General Re Group
A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength ratings of A++ (Superior) and the issuer credit ratings of “aa+” for the General Re Group of Delaware. Workers’ Comp Executive
Go to the Full Story…