workers’ compensation News

Illinois Towns See Medical Marijuana as New Job Source

The prospect of adding jobs — even as few as 30 — has led officials in many shrinking Illinois’ communities to set aside any qualms about the state’s legalization of medical marijuana and to get friendly with would-be growers. The …

Top Wages in North Dakota in Oil Producing Counties

Job Service North Dakota data show counties that produced oil last year held nine of the top 10 spots in average annual wages. Research analyst Michael Ziesch says North Dakota’s average annual wage increased about 4 percent last year to …

New York State Insurance Fund Celebrating Its 100th Year

The New York State Insurance Fund (NYSIF), a New York State agency established to provide a guaranteed source of workers’ compensation insurance coverage, is celebrating its centennial anniversary this month. NYSIF announced that July 1, 2014, marked the 100th anniversary …

12 Companies Approved to Self-Insure for Workers’ Comp in Texas

The Texas Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) approved 12 renewals of the Certificates of Authority for companies to self-insure their workers’ compensation claims for a one-year period under the DWC Self-Insurance Program. These companies collectively employ approximately 36,678 employees in …

Delays in Thousands of Oklahoma Worker Comp Cases From Court Move

Hearings for thousands of injured workers will be delayed this month while the state’s workers compensation system is split into two agencies – each with its own staff, offices and equipment. Scheduled hearings in the system’s Tulsa and Oklahoma City …

DIR: California’s Alternative Security Program Frees $7.5B for Businesses

Department of Industrial Relations Director Christine Baker has approved the implementation of the 2014/15 Alternative Security Program, which DIR says frees $7.54 billion in working capital and provides self-insured California businesses greater financial flexibility. The ASP, operated by the California …

All Risks Taps Julien as California Workers’ Comp Underwriter

Danielle Julien has been hired by wholesaler All Risks Ltd. as a workers’ compensation brokerage underwriter located in San Diego, Calif. Julien will write workers’ compensation business with retail agents in California, Arizona and Nevada. Julien has eight years of …

Safety Is Paramount for Texas Mutual CEO Gergasko

Richard Gergasko, CEO of workers’ compensation insurer, Texas Mutual Insurance Co., describes himself as an insurance geek. Trained as an actuary, he’s been involved in the insurance business for 30 years. With Texas Mutual since February 2013, Gergasko previously worked …

Kansas Court: Travel ‘Intrinsic’ to Oil Field Work, Comp Benefits Apply

Kansas highest court reversed a state appeals court finding that an oil field worker was not entitled to workers’ compensation benefits after he was injured while riding home from his workplace. The nature of oil field work, where an employee …

Top Loss Leaders in the Oil Patch? Commercial Auto, Workers’ Comp

There’s no doubt that new advancements in the practice of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, are driving the current production boom in the oil patch. The technique, which is used to retrieve oil and gas reservoirs that previously were inaccessible via …