workers’ compensation News

Connecticut Approves 17% Workers’ Comp Rate Cut for 2019

The Connecticut Insurance Department has approved a nearly 17 percent decrease in rates for workers’ compensation insurance, marking the fifth consecutive year that rates have dropped in Connecticut. “This steady drop – nearly 50 percent over the last five years …

Better Underwriting, Lower Taxes Behind The Hartford’s Strong Q3 Results

The Hartford reported third quarter 2018 net profit of $427 million compared with $145 million in third quarter 2017. The $282 million increase was due to higher commercial lines, personal lines, group benefits and mutual funds income, including the benefit …

Families Await Justice in North Dakota Oilfield Workplace Lawsuits

Brenda Austin was worried when her son, Casey, told her he planned to work in North Dakota’s Bakken oilfield in early 2013. “Don’t worry. I’ll be in a safe spot,” he told her when he left their Mandan home for …

Workplace Shuttle Bus Overturns in Texas, Killing 1

A shuttle bus transporting contract workers from a Southeast Texas liquid natural gas plant overturned and rolled down a roadside embankment, killing one person and injuring 30 others. The crash happened Tuesday afternoon on the outskirts of Freeport, Texas, more …

Report: Workers’ Comp Medical Payments Fell in California After Reforms

Medical payments per claim with more than seven days of lost time in California decreased after the implementation of workers’ comp reform for claims with experience through March 2017, according to a recent study by the Workers Compensation Research Institute. …

Insurtech Pie’s Founder Talks About Entry into California Workers’ Comp Market

Pie Insurance seems to be slicing its way through workers’ compensation markets in state after state. The Washington, D.C.-based insurtech is a direct provider of workers’ comp that touts its ability to leverage “data analytics, easy-to-use online features, and a …

South Texas Sees Resurgence in Eagle Ford Shale Drilling

Three years ago, Allen Startz found himself in an unwanted kinship with thousands of other oilfield workers in South Texas’ Eagle Ford shale — laid off with few prospects nearby. The Houston Chronicle reports he left his home in Bryan …

Delaware Workers’ Comp Insurance Rates Decrease for Second Year in a Row

Workers’ compensation insurance rates will decrease for the second year in a row in Delaware, effective December 1, 2018. “I am delighted to approve yet another decrease in workers’ compensation rates in Delaware and even happier to see a double-digit …

A.M. Best Upgrades Workers’ Comp Carrier ICW Group in California

A.M. Best Company has upgraded the Financial Strength Rating of San Diego, Calif.-based ICW Group Insurance Cos. to “A” (Excellent) from a “Stable” outlook. A.M. Best said its ratings reflect the company’s balance sheet strength as well as its solid …

Oregon Worker Lawsuit Says She was Fired After Heavy Corpse Fell on Her

A Portland, Ore. cremation worker who says she was sexually harassed and fired after reporting she sustained a back injury when a heavy corpse fell on her has filed a lawsuit seeking $900,000. The Oregonian/OregonLive reported that the sex discrimination …