Quote of the day
"Oregon's workers' compensation system continues to be a national model for its low costs, improved benefits and innovative programs."
Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski, in a statement about the state's 2008 pure premium rate cut.
San Diego Framing Contractor Ordered to Repay State Fund
A San Diego County Superior Court judge orders a framing contractor to pay more than $291,000 in restitution to State Fund in connection with his guilty plea to one count of workers’ compensation insurance premium fraud. Workers’ Comp Executive
Go to the Full Story…
Idaho Employers Get Good News
Idaho’s overall workers’ compensation premium rates will go down an average of 3.7 percent starting January 1, 2008, according to the Idaho Department of Insurance. By Stephanie Eddy, Idaho Statesman
Go to the Full Story…
Oregon Gov Touts Workers’ Comp System as ‘National Model’
In Oregon, employers’ workers’ compensation costs will drop 2.3 percent for 2008, the state’s Department of Consumer and Business Services announces, drawing praise from Gov. Ted Kulongoski. The state reports that Oregon’s rates are about 32 percent less than California’s and 14 percent lower than Washington’s.
Go to the full story by Steve Law, Salem Statesman Journal
Go to the full story by AP via Ashland Daily Tidings
‘Hybrid Employees’ Pose Unique Dilemma
In West Virginia, some workers have two employers on one job. This dual structure in which professional employer organizations control payroll, taxes, work force management and risk management for hybrid employees complicates calculation of workers compensation premiums and frustrates the state’s progress from monopoly to competition in workers’ comp insurance. By Steve Korris, West Virginia Record
Go to the Full Story…
Former Ohio BWC CFO Admits Reporting Violations
The former chief investment officer at the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation is fined $500 and ordered to pay an additional $500 in restitution after pleading guilty to a state ethics charge. James McLean is the 21st person to face criminal charges since a state and federal task force began investigating losses in the bureau’s $50 million rare coin investment in 2005. By Mark Niquette, Columbus Dispatch [With Photo] Go to the Full Story…
Revolving Judges in Trial of North Dakota Agency Officials
The judge has been changed a number of times in the case of two North Dakota workers’ compensation officials who face charges of conspiring to release confidential information in their investigation into who was emailing salary information at the Workforce Safety and Insurance agency. KFYR-TV (Bismarck)
Go to the Full Story…