Iowa News

Rates, Claim Frequency Still Declining in Workers’ Comp; Medical Costs Rise

States Are Not Equal in Handling Worker Injuries Prices for workers’ compensation insurance in the United States declined in 2008 and, in general, that trend is likely to continue in throughout 2009, according to the National Council on Compensation Insurance …

Declarations

On Notice “This settlement … should put all federal contractors on notice that the Labor Department is serious about eliminating systemic discrimination,” —U.S. Labor Secretary Hilda L. Solis, commenting on an agreement with Gerber Products Co. in Fort Smith, Ark., …

SEC Watchdog Blasts Agency for Fumbling Madoff Probes

U.S. securities regulators missed “numerous” red flags that may have led to Bernard Madoff’s $65 billion Ponzi scheme and never did a “thorough and competent” probe despite complaints dating to 1992, a federal watchdog has concluded. The U.S. Securities and …

Ratings Recap: Western National, Westminster, Carolina Casualty, MedPro, Tower Hill

A.M. Best Co. has upgraded the financial strength rating to ‘A’ (Excellent) from ‘A-‘ (Excellent) and issuer credit ratings to “a” from “a-” of Western National Insurance Group (WNG) and its members. The group’s ratings are based on the consolidated …

Motor Carriers Hit Over Safety; Are Insurance Limits Too Low?

A new analysis of government data reveals that more than 28,000 motor carrier companies that operate 200,000 trucks have violated federal safety regulations. The trial bar association, the American Association for Justice (AAJ), said it found commuters are sharing roads …

Wells Fargo Insurance Services Names Samland Managing Director

Wells Fargo Insurance Services of Minnesota Inc. named Gina Samland managing director for its Nebraska, Iowa, and Kansas City, Kan. operations. She is based in the Omaha, Neb., office. In her new role, Samland is responsible for operations, carrier relationships, …

Former Oklahoma Insurance Agent Arrested, Faces Felony Charges

Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner Kim Holland announced former insurance agent Richard Wallen has been arrested by the Oklahoma Insurance Department’s Anti-Fraud Unit. Wallen has been charged with two felony counts. Wallen is accused of defrauding a Wynnewood couple out of more …

Discrimination Suit Filed Against Univ. of Iowa Law School

A Michigan man has filed a lawsuit against the University of Iowa and its College of Law claiming he was the victim of age discrimination. Donald Dobkin, 56, of West Bloomfield, Mich., filed his lawsuit in U.S. District Court in …

Workers’ Compensation Rate Hike Proposed for 2010 in Iowa

The Iowa Insurance Division reported that the National Council on Compensation Insurance has made a rate filing which affects the premium rates for workers’ compensation insurance. The rate filing proposes an overall increase in rates of 2.3 percent. Included in …

Cleanup Starts After Tornadoes, Storms Slam Midwest States

Residents began cleaning up Aug. 20 after tornadoes and severe storms slammed a large part of the Midwest, tearing the roofs from buildings and overturning vehicles. The National Weather Service in Davenport, Iowa, confirmed that a tornado touched down Aug. …