workers’ compensation News

Summary of 2018 Workers’ Comp-Related Bills Signed into Law in California

The Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau of California on Thursday issued a summary of legislation signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown. The Legislature recessed for the year on Aug. 31, and Brown had until Sept. 30 to sign or …

Idaho Workers’ Compensation Rates to Decrease in 2019

The Idaho Department of Insurance has proved a 4.2 percent drop in workers’ compensation insurance rates effective Jan. 1, 2019. The proposed rate change comes from the National Council on Compensation Insurance, and is a function of declining claim costs, …

BusinessFirst Insurance OK’d to Offer Workers’ Comp in Indiana

BusinessFirst Insurance Co. has received all regulatory approvals from the Indiana Department of Insurance to begin offering workers’ compensation insurance coverage in the state, the company announced. Appointed agents may quote Indiana business with BusinessFirst for policies with effective dates …

Pacific Health Care in California Begins Strategic Acquisition Search

Newport Beach, Calif.-based Pacific Health Care Organization Inc. today announced the launch of a strategic acquisition search for an insurance company to add to its suite of comprehensive workers’ comp solutions. The acquisition strategy in the state of California for …

Austin Drops Workers’ Comp Lawsuit Against Firefighter with Cancer

The city of Austin, Texas, has dropped a lawsuit challenging the determination by state workers’ compensation officials and an appeals panel that a firefighter diagnosed with cancer is eligible for workers’ comp benefits. According to the Austin Firefighters Association, Lt. …

Exploring the Jump in Mega Workers’ Compensation Claims

Mega workers’ comp claims – losses exceeding $10 million – jumped in 2016, according to a new report by the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI). It’s unclear if this is a one time occurrence or a new trend for …

Auto Dealers Safety Group Gets $1M Dividend from Texas Mutual

Texas Mutual Insurance Company, a policyholder-owned company, recently awarded a dividend of $1,060,313 to the Lone Star Auto Dealers Association (LSADA) safety group, which includes franchised auto, truck, RV, boat and motorcycle dealerships. This year’s dividend from Texas Mutual brings …

Oregon Workers’ Comp Costs to Drop Sixth-Straight Year

Oregon employers next year will pay an average of $1.12 per $100 of payroll for workers’ compensation insurance, down from $1.23 in 2018, under a proposal by the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services. This will mark the sixth …

Report on California’s Independent Medical Review Shows Continued Progress

An annual progress report from the California Department of Workers’ Compensation’s Independent Medical Review program shows it’s working as intended. IMR is a medical dispute resolution process that uses medical expertise to obtain consistent, evidence-based decisions and is a component …

Michigan Offering Matching Grants to Improve Workplace Safety, Health

Matching grants of up to $5,000 to improve workplace safety and health are being made available for Michigan companies that have up to 250 employees. Michigan’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration says the goal of the MIOSHA Workplace Improvement to …