Articles by Stephanie K. Jones

Texas, Oklahoma Battle Opioids With Legislation

Editor’s Note: This is part of a team report on opioid use by injured workers. For the national story read: Opioid Epidemic Plagues Workers’ Comp In the South Central region, Texas and Oklahoma are two states where the battle against opioid …

Ohio, Indiana Struggle with Impact of Opioids on Injured Workers

Editor’s Note: This is part of a team report on opioid use by injured workers. For the national story read: Opioid Epidemic Plagues Workers’ Comp In the Midwest the multitude of jobs in the automotive and agriculture industries highlights the importance …

Ohio Workers’ Comp Fund Plans to Return $1 Billion to Employers

Ohio’s governor and the state workers’ compensation fund want to return $1 billion in dividends to Ohio businesses, bolster workplace safety initiatives and modernize the way employers pay into the fund. A higher-than-expected return on investments is making possible the …

Homeowners not the Only Line of Insurance Affected by Texas Weather

Nature’s Perils Drive Cost of Agent E&O Coverage, Too It’s well known that Texas has some of the highest homeowners premiums in the nation – in large part due to the state’s vulnerability to violent weather. It may be less …

Oklahoma Completes Workers’ Compensation Overhaul

Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin on May 6 signed a measure to overhaul the state’s workers’ compensation system, one that was backed by Republican lawmakers, the state’s top insurance regulator and insurance trade groups. Senate Bill 1062 changes Oklahoma’s current court-based …

Cause of Texas Fertilizer Fire ‘Undetermined,’ Authorities Say

The cause of the fire that triggered the explosions in a fertilizer plant in Texas last month has been deemed “undetermined,” investigators say. Texas State Fire Marshall Chris Connealy said the scene investigation into what caused the fire in the …

Oklahoma Governor Signs Workers’ Compensation Overhaul

Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin on May 6 signed a measure to overhaul the state’s workers’ compensation system, one that was backed by Republican lawmakers, the state’s top insurance regulator and insurance trade groups. Senate Bill 1062 changes Oklahoma’s current court-based …

Interest in Personal Gun Liability Insurance Protection Increasing

The media focus on gun-centric events and the public discussion of liability issues has piqued interest in personal liability insurance for firearms owners, insurance professionals say. While coverage is available through gun owner associations and through specialty insurers, the liability component …

Homeowners not the Only Line of Coverage Affected by Texas Weather

It’s well known that Texas has some of the highest homeowners premiums in the nation — in large part due to the state’s vulnerability to violent weather. It may be less known that Texas has some of the highest insurance …

Ohio Workers’ Comp Fund Plans to Return $1 Billion to Employers

Ohio’s governor and the state workers’ compensation fund want to return $1 billion in dividends to Ohio businesses, bolster workplace safety initiatives, and modernize the way employers pay into the fund. A higher-than-expected return on investments is making possible the …