Quote of the day
"As a country, we took one on the chin and moved forward, and that's great. But we left 40,000 people who are sick."
John Feal, Ground Zero recovery worker, in response to New York Gov. George Pataki's recent signing of three bills acknowledging health issues faced by responders to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center
San Diego Contractor Ordered to Pay $456,000 Restitution
A San Diego Superior Court judge orders the owner of a San Diego construction company to pay $456,061 in restitution to State Fund for workers’ compensation insurance fraud. Workers’ Comp Executive
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San Francisco Contractor Charged with Workers’ Comp Fraud
California Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi announced Wednesday that Martha P. O’Neill, 40, a San Francisco building trades company owner, is facing 49 felony counts for alleged workers’ compensation insurance and employment tax fraud. She is suspected of underreporting her employee payroll by more than $5.4 million. CBS5 (San Francisco)
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WTC Rescue and Recovery Workers Cautiously Welcome New Laws
As the fifth anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks approaches, some Ground Zero recovery workers are asking if three recent bills signed by New York Gov. George Pataki will sufficiently address the myriad physical and mental health issues they now face and the major obstacles to receiving compensation that remain. By Sushil Cheema, New York Press [With Photo] Go to the Full Story…
Former Postal Carrier Sentenced for Theft, Workers’ Comp Fraud
A former U.S. postal carrier who stole 7,000 pieces of mail is sentenced to more than five years in federal prison and ordered to pay $30,000 in restitution after pleading guilty to mail theft and lying to obtain workers’ compensation. By Alex Branch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram
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Ohio Ballot Language Favors Labor, Lawyers’ Position
The Ohio Ballot Board signs off on language in a November ballot issue that would prevent certain state legislature-approved changes to Ohio’s workers’ compensation law from taking effect. Labor interests and lawyers will be pleased with the wording, as it may make the outcome they seek more likely. By John McCarthy, AP via Akron Beacon Journal
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Noe Absorbs Major Blow as Judge Keeps Nearly All Charges
Indicted political fundraiser Tom Noe, who is charged with looting at least $1 million from the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation rare coin funds that he managed, was dealt a severe blow yesterday when a judge rejected almost every attempt to cut down the criminal charges against him. By Mike Wilkinson, Toledo Blade
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Unions Charge Michigan City with Bungling Workers’ Comp Cases
City officials in Battle Creek, Mich., are having to defend themselves against city employee union allegations that they not only mishandled a number of workers’ compensation claims by police in recent years, but have abused the system. By Andy Rathbun, Battle Creek Enquirer [With Photos] Go to the Full Story…
Opposition Goes to Bat for Western Australia Police
The Western Australian liberal opposition introduces an amendment to the Police Act and calls on the state government to provide police officers with the same workers’ compensation benefits that other workers receive. Yahoo! 7News
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EIG Mutual to Convert to Publicly Traded Stock Company
Workers’ compensation insurer EIG Mutual Holding Co. intends to convert from a mutual insurance holding company to a publicly-traded stock company. Workers’ Comp Executive
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