Quote of the day
"We have more undocumented workers in the country than ever, and they are working in dangerous, low-paying jobs."
Rebecca Smith, Olympia, Wash., attorney with the National Employment Law Project, speaking at a recent training session for lawyers who seek to represent illegal workers
Washington L&I Fights Uphill Battle Regulating Construction Sites
Even before the influx of illegal labor in Washington state, the construction industry was difficult to regulate. Washington Labor & Industries officials say staffing is often insufficient and penalties are too weak to ensure compliance with workplace safety, licensing and workers’ compensation laws, but unions reportedly are stepping into the enforcement void. By Sanjay Bhatt, Seattle Times [With Photo] Go to the Full Story…
Director of Washington L&I Stepping Down
Gary Weeks, director of the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, which manages the state workers’ compensation system, says he is resigning to become executive director of the Washington Health Care Association. Tacoma Daily Index
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Virginia Senate Killed Comp Bill on Lawsuit Fears
In 2005, the Virginia House of Delegates passed a bill that would have limited workers’ compensation benefits available to illegal immigrants, but the state senate killed the bill when it was warned that employers could face private lawsuits from workers denied full benefits for an injury. By Greg Edwards, Richmond Times-Dispatch
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Editorial: Voinovich Mum on BWC Managed Care Mess
It’s hardly a surprise that George Voinovich says he has nothing to say about the managed-care system set up for the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation when he was governor in the early 1990s, because the tawdry system’s only true success has been in funneling $610,000 in political contributions from executives and associates of the managed-care firms, some of them former BWC officials, to mostly Republican state officials and candidates. Toledo Blade
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Canadian Zodiac Boat Study Confirms the Obvious
An $85,000 study for the Canadian Coast Guard confirms that bouncing around heavy seas in hull inflatable “Zodiac” boats can cause back injuries. The study was ordered after a sailor won a workers’ compensation claim for hip problems he claimed were aggravated by the pounding and vibration absorbed by the crafts, which are often used for search and rescue. By Dean Beeby, Toronoto Star
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Insurers Seek Another Rate Hike in North Carolina
For the second straight year, workers’ compensation insurers are seeking a double-digit increase in rates for North Carolina policyholders. Through the workers’ compensation Division of the North Carolina Rate Bureau, insurers are asking regulators to approve a 12.4 percent premium increase for companies except those deemed high risk, which would pay 10 percent more. By Lee Weisbecker, Business Journal of the Greater Triad Area via San Jose/Silicon Valley Business Journal
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Oregon Workshops Target Job Safety
Oregon’s Department of Consumer and Business Services, Occupational Safety and Health Division will be offering two free safety and health workshops in October designed for small businesses. Coos Bay Worldlink
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New Insurer Fills Workers’ Comp Niche in Pennsylvania Town
Closely-held Pennsylvania life insurer Synergy Comp Insurance Co. is setting up shop in the city of Sharon and will offer consulting services for workers’ compensation. Its mission is to scrutinize claims history, safety, work environment and health care in order to drive down comp costs. By Michael Roknick, the Herald (Sharon, Pa.)
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Keep Your Eyes On The Money
Are you wondering how much money the candidates for insurance commissioner are accepting and from whom? Check out WCE’s insurance commissioner contributions report for your daily dose at www.wcexec.com