workers’ compensation News

As Doctors Prescribe Fewer Opioids for Injured Workers, What Do They Offer Instead?

The good news is that doctors are less likely to prescribe opioids to injured workers than they were years ago. They have come to recognize that the pain medications have been overprescribed, causing addictions and deaths including suicides. The bad …

SAIF in Oregon Declares $100 Million Dividend for Policyholders

SAIF, Oregon’s state chartered workers’ compensation insurer, has declared a $100 million dividend for policyholders. Kerry Barnett, president and CEO of SAIF, remarked that the dividend comes at a difficult time for many Oregon businesses facing the challenges of the …

Sign Here First: Reopening Businesses Turn to Liability Waivers, Disclaimers

As U.S. businesses reopen after weeks of pandemic lockdowns, many have been posting coronavirus disclaimers or requiring employees and patrons to sign waivers before entering. From hair salons and recreation centers to stock exchanges and wedding photographers, the notices have …

Workers’ Compensation Insurtech Pie Raises $127 Million With Plan to Acquire Carriers

Workers’ compensation provider Pie Insurance announced the closing of $127 million in new financing and capital commitments. Gallatin Point Capital joined the insurtech’s current investors in the capital raise, including Greycroft, SVB Capital, Aspect Ventures, Elefund, and Sirius International Insurance …

South Dakota Bull Facility Faces $122.6K in Penalties After Employee Dies

A South Dakota bull stud facility faces penalties of more than $122,000 after being cited by federal officials following a worker fatality. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Custom Genetic Solutions LLC in …

State Fund in California Accepting Applications for $50M Return to Work Fund

State Compensation Insurance Fund in California has started accepting applications for its $50 million Returning California to Work COVID-19 Safety Protocol Fund. The fund will help State Fund policyholders implement new safety measures to combat the spread of COVID-19 as …

California Workers’ Comp Bureau Lowers Mid-Range Estimate of COVID Costs by $10B

The Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau of California published estimated costs of allowing state workers to receive benefits for COVID-19 claims without proving virus exposure at work, dropping a prior mid-range estimate by $10 billion. In a report published on …

Workers Worry Over Enforcement of Meatpacking Plant Safety Recommendations

Federal recommendations meant to keep meatpacking workers safe as they return to plants that were shuttered by the coronavirus have little enforcement muscle behind them, fueling anxiety that working conditions could put employees’ lives at risk. Extensive guidance issued last …

Retaliation Claim Against Delaware Law Firm Over Softball Injury Nixed

A judge has dismissed a lawsuit against a Delaware law firm filed by a paralegal who claims he was targeted for retaliation after being injured while playing on the law firm’s softball team and filing a workers’ compensation claim. The …

North Carolina Revises Workers’ Comp Premium Rules Related to COVID-19

Two new rule revisions to the North Carolina Basic Manual for Workers Compensation and Employers Liability (NC Basic Manual) related to the COVID-19 pandemic have been approved by the North Carolina Department of Insurance. The North Carolina Rate Bureau (NCRB) …