workers’ compensation News

Safety National Receives Ratings Upgrades

Excess workers’ compensation carrier, Safety National Casualty Corp., announced that three major insurance rating agencies have increased the company’s ratings. While Safety National’s A.M. Best financial strength rating remains “A”, the agency has upgraded Safety National’s issuer credit rating from …

Fitch: Workers’ Compensation Weakest Segment; Combined Ratio Worst in 10 Years

Workers’ compensation, the largest commercial lines segment representing approximately 18 percent of commercial lines net written premiums in 2011, posted a statutory combined ratio of 117 percent in 2011, according to a new report by Fitch Ratings. This result is …

Illinois Gun Works Fined $111K for Exposing Workers to Hazards

Federal officials have fined an Illinois gun sales business, a shooting range and gun safety training company for allegedly exposing workers to hazards, including lead. Proposed fines total $111,000. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has …

Accident Fund Holdings Names Carney Chief Underwriting Officer

Michigan-based Accident Fund Holdings Inc. has appointed William G. Carney as chief underwriting officer. Carney recently joined Accident Fund Holdings’ executive team and is responsible for overseeing the underwriting efforts of the holding company’s four operating units — Accident Fund …

Arkansas Woman Gets 6 Month Jail Term in Work Zone Death

A Washington County Circuit Court judge has sentenced an Arkansas woman to six months in jail in connection with the death of a city worker. Jo Jackson pleaded guilty Tuesday to misdemeanor negligent homicide and third-degree battery as part of …

Safety Violations at Arkansas Chemical Plant Bring $122K in Fines

Serious safety violations at a chemical plant in Arkansas have resulted in a proposed $122,000 in fines for an Indiana company, federal regulators say. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited West Lafayette, Ind.-based Great …

Mississippi Court Orders New Trial in Worker’s $15M Asbestos Award

The Mississippi Supreme Court has ordered a new trial in a workplace asbestos exposure case in which a Jones County man was awarded $15.2 million. However, the Supreme Court did not rule on the jury verdict. Instead, the justices found …

Workers’ Comp Market Injured But Still Standing

Like the economy, the workers’ compensation market has suffered in recent years. Results for 2011 were no better than 2010. The good news: results for the workers’ comp market were not worse either. The combined ratio held steady at 115 …

Study: Spinal Implant Loophole Costs Calif. Workers’ Comp $67M

Workers’ compensation medical costs in California were boosted by nearly $67.5 million in 2010 due to loophole in the law that allows double billing for surgical implants, according to a study released on Wednesday by the California Workers’ Compensation Institute. …

Michigan-Based Firm Cited for Safety, Health Violations at Ohio Plant

Brown-Campbell Co. has been cited for 19 alleged safety and health violations at its facility in Maple Heights, Ohio, federal regulators announced. Proposed fines total $64,400. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration said the citations include …