workers’ compensation News

California Insurers Group: Jones Was Correct on WC Pure Premium

California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones was correct to recognize the increasing costs in the state’s workers compensation system when he made his pure premium advisory rate recommendation on Friday, says the Association of California Insurance Companies. Jones’ recommendation was for …

Dallas Employers Face $97K in Penalties Following Forklift Deaths

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Georg Fischer Central Plastics LLC and Nationwide Plastics Inc. for 16 safety and health violations at the plastic manufacturing facility on Joseph Hardin Drive in Dallas, after a …

California Commissioner Favors Lower WC Premium Than Board

California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones adopted an advisory average pure premium rate of $2.70 per $100 of employer payroll for workers’ compensation rates effective Jan. 1, 2014, which is lower than that proposed by the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau. …

Illinois Roofing Company Fined $158K for Safety Hazards

Affordable Roofing and Exteriors Inc. in Trenton, Ill., has been cited by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration for five safety violations, carrying proposed penalties of $158,015. The citations follow inspections at three job sites where …

Costs per Claim of Medical Care for Injured Workers in Indiana High, Rising

The costs per claim of medical care to treat injured workers in Indiana were higher than most states and growing rapidly, according to a recent study by the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI). The report, Benchmarks for Indiana, CompScope 14th …

Iowa Court: Immigrant Worker on Expired Visa Gets Workers’ Comp

The Iowa Supreme Court has ruled that a West Liberty woman, an immigrant from Mexico who stayed in the United States after her visa had expired, is entitled to receive workers’ compensation benefits for a work-related injury. The case involves …

Workers’ Compensation Results Improved in 2012

The workers’ compensation industry’s results improved in 2012. Premiums grew for the second straight year, the combined ratio improved, and claims frequency declined at a faster rate than severity increased, according to a report by the A.M. Best Co. The …

California’s State Fund Board Declares $100M Dividend

The board of directors for California’s State Fund Compensation Insurance approved a $100 million dividend to qualifying policyholders for the 2013 policy year. The dividend represents roughly 8.6 percent of policyholders’ 2012 estimated annual premium. “State Fund has made significant …

Texas Mutual Wraps Up $175M Workers’ Comp Dividend Distribution

Texas Mutual Insurance Co. announced that it has begun distributing $2.6 million in workers’ compensation dividends among approximately 3,300 new policyholders. The money represents the final component of Texas Mutual’s $175 million dividend distribution in 2013. Dividends reward loyal policyholders …

Montana State Fund Declares Its Largest Dividend

More than 23,000 qualifying policyholders will receive a part of a $12 million dividend from Montana State Fund, the worker’s compensation insurer announced on Friday. This is the largest dividend MSF has declared since it began giving dividends in 1999, …