workers’ compensation News

People Moves: Virginia’s Workers’ Comp Commission Names Two Deputy Judges

The Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission Names Two New Deputy Commissioners The Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission (VWCC) has named two new deputy commissioners, Frederick T. Schubert II and Christopher R. Wilson. Schubert and Wilson will serve as administrative law judges under …

Delta Plane Catches Fire at Orlando Airport in Latest Incident for Airline

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — A Delta Air Lines airplane caught fire on Monday before it was supposed to take off at a central Florida airport, forcing the evacuation of passengers, airport officials said. There were no reports of any injuries …

Coal Country Voices Say Closure of MSHA Offices Endangers Mine Safety

Retired coal miner Stanley “Goose” Stewart questions whether it’s safe for anyone to work in the industry right now. The Department of Government Efficiency, created by President Donald Trump and run by Elon Musk, has been targeting federal agencies for …

Massachusetts High Court Upholds Workers’ Comp for Utility Worker’s COVID

An insurer erred in denying workers’ compensation benefits to a utility worker who contracted COVID-19 while on the job, a job the state had deemed as “essential” during the pandemic. The insurer had denied the claim on the basis that …

Walmart Employee Kills Co-Worker in Georgia, Driver in Florida Injures Store Worker

COVINGTON, Ga. (AP) — A Walmart employee shot and killed a co-worker inside a Georgia store and critically wounded another worker outside early Friday while the business was closed to the public, authorities said. After leaving the store, the gunman …

Tennessee Safety Agency Says Plastics Workers Were Given Time to Evacuate

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Workers at an East Tennessee plastics company who died in flooding from last year’s Hurricane Helene had time to evacuate, albeit by “makeshift routes,” according to an investigation from the Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration …

Maine Approves 9.6% Decrease in Workers’ Compensation Costs

Maine has approved the insurance industry’s filing that will lower workers’ compensation insurance loss costs an average of 9.6%. The lower loss costs will go into effect for new and renewing policies as of April 1, 2025. According to Superintendent …

California Delivery Company Must Repay $2M for Workers’ Comp Scheme

A Los Angeles, California, couple was sentenced after an investigation reportedly found they underreported more than $21 million in employee payroll for their delivery companies. John Nemandoust, 70, was sentenced to 60 days in county jail, and Annette Assil, 62, …

California Plumbing Contractor Ordered to Pay $1M for Workers’ Comp Fraud

A plumbing contractor has been ordered to pay $1 million in restitution to the State Compensation Insurance Fund as part of a workers’ comp fraud prosecution. Daniela G. Birdwell, 41, owner of GPS Plumbing, pleaded guilty to one count of …

Huge AI Data Center Planned for Pennsylvania Coal Plant Site

A huge natural gas-powered data center that will serve the growing demands of artificial intelligence is being planned for the site of a former coal-fired power plant in Pennsylvania. The 3,200-acre (1,295-hectare) data center campus, located about 50 miles east …