workers’ compensation News

Texas Workers’ Comp Enforcements for February Include $40K in Fines

Texas Commissioner of Workers’ Compensation Rod Bordelon recently announced final disciplinary actions taken by the Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation (TDI-DWC) for February 2011. They included fines of up to $18,000. DWC Final Disciplinary Orders for February …

Oregon to Net $3.6 Million From AIG Settlement

Oregon will receive about $3.6 million as part of a multi-state settlement with the American International Group (AIG) over misreporting of workers’ compensation insurance premiums. A two-year examination of AIG and its Chartis insurance companies found the companies misreported $2.12 …

Idaho Companies Could Get Break on Workers’ Comp Taxes

Idaho companies could receive a $3.2 million break on taxes they pay on their workers’ compensation premiums over the next two years. The State Industrial Commission has about $17 million in the fund it uses to administer the state’s workers’ …

Oregon Workplace Injuries Decline More Than 50%

Seventeen people covered by Oregon’s workers’ compensation system died on the job during 2010, the Department of Consumer and Business Services (DCBS) announced. The total represents an all-time low in Oregon and is likely tied, to some degree, to the …

Model Bill Targets Misclassification of Trucking, Courier Workers

State lawmakers who deal with insurance issues have approved a model law for the trucking and courier industries that sets guidelines for who is an independent contractor and who is an employee. The National Conference of Insurance Legislators (NCOIL) last …

Washington Senate Passes Workers Compensation Change Opposed by Labor

The Washington state Senate approved a measure Saturday that would drastically change the state’s workers compensation system by establishing an option for lump sum settlements. The 34-15 vote was a significant win for the business lobby, which has been trying …

States Must Decide if Workers’ Comp Benefits Extend to Illegal Workers

The U.S. Supreme Court recently declined to hear a workers’ compensation insurance case that concerned an illegal immigrant in Louisiana who had sought coverage after a workplace accident. The Court’s refusal to consider the case means states are left to …

Mississippi Passes Bill to Speed Workers’ Compensation Appeals

The Mississippi Senate has passed a bill making it easier to appeal a decision of the state Workers’ Compensation Commission. Currently, an appeal of a commission decision or award is appealed to circuit court and then, if necessary, to the …

Colorado’s Pinnacol Assurance CEO Stripped of 2010 Bonus

The board of insurance company Pinnacol Assurance has voted to strip CEO Kenneth Ross of his bonus for 2010. The Denver Post reports the board of the state-chartered workers’ compensation insurer made its decision Mar. 2 regarding the $163,115 bonus. …

West Virginia Backs Workers’ Compensation for Volunteer Firefighters

West Virginia lawmakers appear willing to help the state’s volunteer fire departments with their workers’ compensation expenses. The House and Senate exchanged bills this week that would dedicate insurance policy surcharge revenues toward these costs. The volunteer departments are bracing …