Insurance Journal » workers’ compensation

N.J. to Offer Lifetime Benefits to Spouses of Police, Fire Personnel Killed on Duty

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 16:32:14 +0000

In New Jersey, a measure that would provide workers’ compensation benefits to spouses of certain deceased fire and police personnel for the entire period of survivorship was signed into law last Thursday. The newly signed law (S-1469/A-2756) allows surviving spouses …

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2nd Victim Dies After Blast at Geismar, Louisiana Chemical Plant

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 16:16:37 +0000

An explosion and fire at a Louisiana chemical plant claimed a second victim on June 14 as federal authorities were piecing together the cause of the blast that injured dozens more. Scott Thrower, 47, of St. Amant, died at Baton …

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1 Dead in Blast, Fire at Louisiana Chemical Plant

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 16:31:49 +0000

One person was killed as the result of an explosion and fire at a chemical plant in Geismar, La. on June 13 The Times-Picayune reported that 77 people were taken to the hospital with injuries. Louisiana State Police identified the …

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Jenns Named President of Austin, Texas-Based Service Group

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 16:12:33 +0000

Service Group, based in Austin, Texas, announced it has named Martin Jenns as its new president. The company also announced the retirements of senior vice presidents Patrick Vance and Gary Holliday. Service Group, including Service Lloyds, is a family-owned insurance …

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5-Year Plan Targets Business Growth in New Orleans

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 16:45:26 +0000

New Orleans officials have unveiled a five-year economic development plan targeting key industries, creating jobs and strengthening the economy through workforce training and support programs for small businesses. The Times-Picayune reports the initiative, called ProsperityNOLA, was developed by a task …

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Montana Man Pleads Guilty In Workers’ Comp Fraud Case

Thu, 06 Jun 2013 15:29:05 +0000

A 76-year-old Havre, Mont. man has pleaded guilty to mail fraud in a case for failing to report that he owned a profitable business while receiving more than $277,000 in federal worker’s compensation benefits from 2001 to 2012. The U.S. Attorney’s Office …

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Michigan Pair Plead Guilty to Embezzling from Workers’ Comp TPA

Thu, 06 Jun 2013 05:43:13 +0000

Michigan’s attorney general announced that the former CEO and a bookkeeper of a non-profit workers’ compensation insurance-related organization have pleaded guilty to embezzling millions. Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette said Jerry Stage, 67, of New Hudson, and George Bauer, 55, …

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Actor Jim Carrey’s Biz Has WC Coverage, NYS Workers’ Comp Board Says

Wed, 05 Jun 2013 16:59:59 +0000

Actor Jim Carrey was reportedly accused of failing to buy workers’ compensation insurance for his New York-based art studio business — but it appears it is just a case of a clerical error.Hollywood news site TMZ.com reported this week that …

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Wisconsin Bus Driver Who Chased Passenger Gets Workers’ Comp

Wed, 05 Jun 2013 16:37:59 +0000

A Wisconsin appeals court says a Milwaukee bus driver who chased down a passenger who used a racial slur and spat on him is entitled to workers’ compensation. Bus driver Isaac Bracey hurt himself soon after getting off his bus …

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Report: California Workers’ Comp Insurers Return on Worth Up

Fri, 31 May 2013 21:02:29 +0000

California workers’ compensation insurers’ average return on net worth increased for the second year in a row in 2011, according to the latest National Association of Insurance Commissioners report on insurer profitability. The report shows California insurers’ 2011 return improved …

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Workers’ Comp Panel Approves $1 Billion Rebate to Ohio Employers

Fri, 31 May 2013 16:33:43 +0000

Directors of Ohio’s insurance fund for injured workers have unanimously approved Gov. John Kasich’s (KAY’-sihks) proposal to send $1 billion in cash rebates to businesses, local governments and schools. About 210,000 businesses and public employers would see one-time rebates in …

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N.Y. Compensation Insurance Rating Board Seeks 16.9% Hike in WC Loss Costs

Sat, 25 May 2013 03:34:47 +0000

The New York Compensation Insurance Rating Board (NYCIRB) said it submitted to the state’s Department of Financial Services last week a loss-cost filing for an overall average loss cost change of +16.9 percent. A hearing is likely to be scheduled …

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Ohio Firm Launches Program Aimed at Opioid Abuse in Workers’ Comp

Fri, 24 May 2013 16:38:17 +0000

Lewis Center, Ohio-based Modern Medical announced the nationwide roll out of a program designed stop the rise of opioid abuse in the workers’ compensation industry. Opioid Defense Manager (ODM) was launched in November 2012 in a test phase, the company …

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Schinnerer Introduces Stand-Alone Workers’ Comp

Fri, 24 May 2013 10:00:00 +0000

Underwriting manager Victor O. Schinnerer & Co. has introduced a new stand-alone workers’ compensation program. Schinnerer will serve as a program access point for retail agents and brokers. The stand-alone coverage, offered through an A-rated insurance carrier, is available for …

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Ex-Alaska Worker Charged With Workers’ Comp Fraud

Thu, 23 May 2013 15:48:19 +0000

A former Alaska state employee and his supposed masseuse are accused of worker’s compensation fraud. Scott A. Groom and Laurayne K. Fischer are charged with 93 counts including perjury, theft and falsification of business records. The two are currently living …

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R.I. Nightclub Owners Say They Didn’t Know Part-Timers Needed WC Coverage

Thu, 23 May 2013 15:21:22 +0000

The owners of the Station nightclub say they didn’t know they needed to buy workers’ compensation insurance for the club’s part-time employees. Michael and Jeffrey Derderian are asking Rhode Island’s state Supreme Court to review a more than $1 million …

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Utah Workers Comp Fund Distributes $8 Million Dividend

Tue, 21 May 2013 16:33:35 +0000

The board of directors for Utah’s Workers Compensation Fund declared a dividend to be distributed to a majority of policyholders in May. Policyholders can expect to receive 5 percent of their 2012 earned premium. With this distribution, WCF will have …

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SGB-NIA Insurance Brokers Launches Workplace Safety Program

Mon, 20 May 2013 16:53:47 +0000

SGB-NIA Insurance Brokers has launched a workers compensation safety program – Three Sixty Safety – designed for implementation into current safety protocol that provides training, education and claim assistance when necessary. Three Sixty Safety is part of SGB-NIA’s “Road to …

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Texas, Oklahoma Battle Opioids With Legislation

Stephanie K. Jones — Mon, 20 May 2013 16:21:03 +0000

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 …

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Ohio, Indiana Struggle with Impact of Opioids on Injured Workers

Stephanie K. Jones — Mon, 20 May 2013 16:18:56 +0000

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 …

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New York, Pennsylvania Rank High for Opioids Among Injured Workers

Young Ha — Mon, 20 May 2013 16:14:12 +0000

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 The epidemic of opioid abuse and its impact on workers’ compensation in the Northeast is particularly …

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Injured Workers Opioid Use on Rise in California, Washington

Don Jergler — Mon, 20 May 2013 16:10:57 +0000

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 Washington and California are among states in the U.S. Western Region that have publicly struggled with …

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Panel Solicits Applicants For New Mexico Insurance Regulator

Mon, 20 May 2013 16:06:58 +0000

Former State Insurance Superintendent Chris Krahling has been named to a panel that will select New Mexico’s top insurance regulator. A nine-member committee will select the next superintendent of insurance, who starting in July will be in charge of an …

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Accident Fund, Olivet College Offer Certified Authority on Workers’ Comp

Mon, 20 May 2013 05:39:31 +0000

Accident Fund Insurance Company of America has partnered with Olivet College, a mid-Michigan based college, to create the Certified Authority on Workers’ Compensation (CAWC) program. This program offers a unique perspective on workers’ compensation, combining business acumen with key educational …

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Opioid Epidemic Plagues Workers’ Comp

Fri, 17 May 2013 19:12:30 +0000

Editor’s Note: This is part of a team report on opioid use by injured workers. For stories focused on particular regions click on the respective links below. The national “epidemic” of opioid usage has garnered a great deal of public …

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R.I. Officials Ask Court Not to Delay WC Fine Against Former Nightclub Owners

Fri, 17 May 2013 16:24:11 +0000

Rhode Island labor officials have asked the state Supreme Court not to review the $1 million fine levied against the former owners of the Station nightclub. Michael and Jeffrey Derderian are appealing the fine, levied for failing to carry workers …

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Missouri Senate Backs Bill to Bolster Second Injury Fund

Fri, 17 May 2013 14:28:32 +0000

More than a thousand disabled workers could finally begin receiving payments for their job-related injuries if the Missouri House gives final approval to legislation intended to replenish an insolvent state fund. SB 1, which passed the Senate early on May …

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Southeastern States Battle Against Prescription Drug/Opioid Abuse

Fri, 17 May 2013 10:13:07 +0000

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 Deaths from prescription drug overdoses jumped 360 percent in the last decade in the Appalachian region …

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Missouri Bill Would Create Workers’ Comp Database

Fri, 17 May 2013 05:45:24 +0000

The Missouri Legislature has voted to create an online database allowing businesses to check whether job applicants have a history of filing workers’ compensation claims. The House gave the bill final approval on a 91-67 vote. It now heads to …

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Workers’ Comp Sees Encouraging Signs in 2012 Results: NCCI

Andrea Wells — Thu, 16 May 2013 16:57:27 +0000

The workers’ compensation market is seeing encouraging signs. Premiums grew for the second consecutive year, the combined ratio declined and claim frequency continued to improve at a pace slightly greater than its long-term historic rate of decline. In 2012, the …

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