Texas / South Central News

Texas Department of Work Comp Adopts MQRP Rule Changes

The Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) has adopted amendments to 28 Texas Administrative Code Β§180.62, concerning the Medical Quality Review Panel (MQRP). DWC proposed this rule on June 28, 2022. It was published in the July …

Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Approves Citizens Rate Increase of 63%

Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon approved a significant rate hike for Louisiana Citizens residential property insurance policies, a move the insurance department blamed on rising costs of reinsurance. Donelon approved Citizens’ request for a 63% rate increase, which will go …

ExxonMobil Ordered to Reinstate, Pay $800,000 in Back Wages to Employees Who Leaked Info

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration ordered ExxonMobil Corp. to immediately reinstate two employees and pay them more than $800,000 in back wages, interest and compensatory damages. A federal whistleblower investigation found the company terminated them …

Texas DWC Recognizes Power Company With Lone Star Safety Award

The Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) recognized WPT Power Corp. with a third Lone Star Safety Award for its exemplary workplace safety efforts and low rates of work-related injuries and illnesses. WPT Power Corp., a manufacturer …

Amended Complaint: Texas Public Adjuster Losses Nearly $8 Million

A public adjuster who is accused of pocketing insurance payouts intended for policyholders took a total of $7.9 million from 14 customers, including four churches, according to an amended complaint filed by the Texas Department of Insurance. The Texas State …

Revival Sought for Outspoken Louisiana Pastor’s Lawsuit Over COVID Restrictions

An outspoken Christian conservative attorney from Alabama has asked a federal appeals court to revive a Louisiana pastor’s damage claims against state officials over long-expired COVID-19 restrictions. A federal judge this year dismissed minister Tony Spell’s lawsuit against Gov. John …

Texas Mutual CEO Rich Gergasko to Retire in 2023

Texas Mutual, the state’s leading provider of workers’ compensation insurance, today announced that the company’s President & Chief Executive Officer, Richard “Rich” Gergasko, has shared with the Board of Directors his intention to retire in early 2023. Gergasko joined Texas …

5th Circuit Mulls Vaccine Mandate for US Contractors

A federal appeals court in New Orleans on Monday became the latest to hear arguments on whether President Joe Biden overstepped his authority with an order that federal contractors require that their employees be vaccinated against COVID-19. The contractor mandate …

Keystone to Add Bainswest Agencies in Oklahoma, Missouri

Keystone welcomed a group of Bainswest agencies from Oklahoma and Missouri to its network of growing agencies across the nation, effective January 1, 2023. Bainswest formed in Tulsa, OK in 1994. Bainswest ranks No. 18 in Insurance Journal’s Top 20 …

New Orleans Housing Authority, Private Developers to Settle $250,000 Disability Discrimination Lawsuit

The Department of Justice announced that the Housing Authority of New Orleans (HANO) and seven private developers have agreed to pay $250,000 to settle claims that they violated the Fair Housing Act (FHA) and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by …

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