workers’ compensation News

Construction Worker Killed in Collapse of Boston Parking Garage Under Demolition

A portion of a downtown Boston parking garage that was being demolished collapsed Saturday evening, killing a construction worker, officials said. Boston Emergency Medical Services confirmed one person was killed and a second person was transported to an area hospital, …

Sick Montana Workers Allege Insurer Delaying Medical Payments

Attorneys for Montana mine workers sickened and killed by toxic asbestos exposure filed a lawsuit against Zurich American Insurance this week for allegedly stalling legal settlements and medical payments after transferring the workers’ claims to investors who can profit off …

Amazon Cited for Unsafe Work Practices at Washington Fulfillment Center

Amazon is facing a willful serious violation and a $60,000 fine for knowingly putting workers at risk of injury at its fulfillment center in Kent, Washington. A Washington Department of Labor & Industries inspection at the e-commerce giant reportedly found …

Pinnacol Distributes $50M in Dividends to 51K Colorado Companies

Pinnacol Assurance is distributing general dividend checks to its customers totaling $50 million. Pinnacol has also lowered premium rates by an average of 11%. This is the seventh consecutive year of general dividend distributions. Nearly 95% of Pinnacol’s policyholders are …

Washington Contractors Fined for Death of Worker at Convention Center

Washington state has fined two construction companies a combined $20,000 after a construction worker was killed at the downtown Seattle convention center expansion. Bryan Phillips, 31, died in an accident at the site in September, the Seattle Times reported. In …

Markets/Coverages: IMA Creates Metaverse Insurance R&D Lab; Appalachian’s Workers’ Comp Teams With Slice; Blockdaemon Debuts Blockchain Policy

IMA Financial Unveils the Metaverse’s First Insurance Research & Development Facility Financial services firm IMA Financial Group said it has launched the metaverse’s first insurance and risk management research and development facility. Called IMA Web3Labs, it will be located in …

Investigation Blames California Zip-line Worker Fatality on Safety Failures

A federal workplace safety investigation found that a 34-year-old worker’s fatal fall might have been prevented had the operator of a Pauma Valley, California, zip-line attraction implemented required safety measures. A U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration …

New Chief at Pinnacol in Colorado Plans to Transform Hundred-Year-Old Carrier to Deal with Changing Workforce

John O’Donnell picked an interesting time to change jobs. The way the world works is radically changing, and just as the pandemic – apparently – wanes, he’s taking the helm of a large workers’ compensation provider. The biggest challenge he …

Washington Contractor Sentenced in Fatal Workplace Trench Collapse

A Seattle, Washington, construction company owner is facing jail time in a case that’s holding an employer criminally responsible for a preventable worker death. Alki Construction owner Phillip Numrich was sentenced today to 45 days in jail for his role …

Supreme Court Asked to Resolve Federal Drug Law v. State Medical Marijuana Laws Debate

The U.S. Supreme Court has been asked to address whether federal drug law that criminalizes possession of marijuana invalidates state orders requiring employers and their workers’ compensation insurers to pay for medical marijuana prescriptions for employees injured on the job. …