workers’ compensation News

New Workers’ Comp Reform Linked to Illinois Trooper Crash

A new law inspired by a former Illinois State Police trooper’s high-speed freeway wreck that killed two sisters bars state employees injured while committing crimes from getting workers’ compensation. The measure, signed into law by Gov. Pat Quinn taking immediate …

3 Insurers Bid for West Virginia’s Workers’ Compensation Business

Three companies are vying to provide workers’ compensation coverage for state agencies. Acting Insurance Commissioner Michael Riley said that that BrickStreet Mutual Insurance Co., Chartis, and Zurich Insurance Co. submitted bids by last Wednesday’s deadline. Riley says the contract is …

Missouri to Audit State-Created Workers’ Compensation Insurer

A state-created company intended to help small businesses get workers’ compensation insurance has agreed to a review by the Missouri auditor’s office. Missouri Employers Mutual Insurance Co. agreed to what it calls a “voluntary” review after the auditor’s office threatened …

California Supreme Court Rules on Workers’ Comp Payment Increases

The California Supreme Court has ruled that cost of living adjustments in total permanent disability cases are to be calculated starting the January 1 after the injured worker started collecting his or her payments. The ruling is expected to be …

Florida Court Rules Illegal Workers Entitled to Workers’ Compensation

Florida employers may be under more pressure to document the status of their workers after a panel of state judges ruled that illegal residents who are injured on the job are eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. The Florida First District …

Illinois Bars Workers’ Compensation for State Employees Involved in Crimes

A new law inspired by a former Illinois State Police trooper’s high-speed freeway wreck that killed two sisters bars state employees injured while committing crimes from getting workers’ compensation. The measure, which was signed into law this week by Gov. …

Alaska Tour Operator Fined $1.5 Million for Not Having Workers’ Compensation

An Alaska tour operator has been fined $1.5 million for allegedly failing to carry workers’ compensation insurance, violating stop work orders and misclassifying employees as independent contractors. Ultimate Tours LLC and Godwin Glacier Tours LLC can appeal the Alaska Workers’ …

Pinnacol Stops Administering Colorado State Claims

A Colorado-chartered workers’ compensation insurer will no longer administer the claims of state employees following disagreements with state officials over lavish trips, compensation and golden parachutes for key executives. Pinnacol Assurance’s decision to bail forced Colorado to scramble to hire …

California Workers’ Compensation Industry Taking Ogilvie Ruling in Stride

The most recent twist in the long-running Ogilvie case over the setting of disability payments for permanently injured workers may not be the big blow to the California workers’ compensation system some initially feared. On July 29, California’s First District …

Workers’ Compensation Costs Continue to Drop in West Virginia

West Virginia employers would continue to benefit from lower workers’ compensation rates if the state agrees with an industry filing that loss costs be cut by 8.1 percent. Since the state privatized its workers’ compensation system in 2006, after operating …