Poor job market complicates workers compensation claims

By: Roberto Ceniceros

Published May 19, 2013 - 6:00am CST

Grim employment prospects for some U.S. residents have caused Social Security disability benefit applications to surge, which has ramifications for workers compensation claims payers.

COMMENTARY: Oklahoma workers comp reforms merited weightier analysis

By: Roberto Ceniceros

Published May 19, 2013 - 6:00am CST

While one of the most significant workers compensation bills ever adopted anywhere in the United States advanced through Oklahoma's Legislature, the shallow depth of local news reports was stunning.

UP CLOSE: Kimberly Mashburn-Lee

Published May 19, 2013 - 6:00am CST

ATLANTA-BASED SENIOR CONSULTANT AND HEAD OF CLINICAL STRATEGIES

New York mulls 16.9% boost in work comp loss costs

By: Sheena Harrison

Published May 17, 2013 - 3:30pm CST

New York state officials are considering a 16.9% hike in workers compensation loss costs, following a filing this week by the New York Compensation Insurance Rating Board.

California workers comp premiums rise third straight year

By: Roberto Ceniceros

Published May 17, 2013 - 9:47am CST

California's workers compensation premium volume in 2012 reached its highest level since 2007, rising $1.2 billion to $9 billion.

Workers comp combined ratio, premiums improve in 2012: NCCI leader

By: Roberto Ceniceros

Published May 16, 2013 - 12:15pm CST

ORLANDO, Fla. — The state of the workers compensation insurance market is “encouraging,” with the line's combined ratio improving by 6 percentage points and premium volume up 9% in 2012, NCCI Holdings Inc. said Thursday.

Bill to ease workers comp Medicare set-aside process introduced

By: Sheena Harrison

Published May 15, 2013 - 2:51pm CST

A bill that would ease the Medicare Secondary Payer reimbursement process for workers compensation settlements has been introduced in Congress.

Indiana workers comp reform includes rules for repackaged drugs

By: Roberto Ceniceros

Published May 13, 2013 - 1:25pm CST

Indiana Gov. Mike Pence has signed into law workers compensation reform legislation that implements several cost containment measures, including regulations for repackaged drugs.

New TRIA bill would extend terrorism insurance backstop for 10 years

By: Mark A. Hofmann

Published May 10, 2013 - 10:03am CST

A bill extending the federal government's terrorism insurance backstop through 2024 was introduced by Rep. Bennie G. Thompson, D-Miss., on Thursday.

Scar on neck qualifies worker for facial disfiguration benefits

By: Roberto Ceniceros

Published May 09, 2013 - 2:40pm CST

A scar on the neck of a truck driver accidentally sprayed with sulfuric acid qualifies him to receive workers compensation facial disfiguration benefits, an Arizona appeals court ruled Tuesday.

Firefighter with cancer can receive workers comp benefits under Nevada law: Court

By: Roberto Ceniceros

Published May 08, 2013 - 1:43pm CST

A firefighter diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor within four years of beginning his employment can be awarded workers compensation benefits, Nevada's Supreme Court ruled Thursday.

Oklahoma workers comp opt-out measure signed into law

By: Roberto Ceniceros

Published May 07, 2013 - 10:11am CST

Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin on Monday signed into law legislation allowing employers to implement an alternative to the state's traditional workers compensation system.

Expect higher insurance premiums if TRIA not renewed: Fitch

By: Judy Greenwald

Published May 06, 2013 - 2:41pm CST

If the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act is not renewed, it could induce commercial insurers to retreat from larger metropolitan areas, thereby reducing the availability of coverage and raising premium rates.

Oklahoma joins Texas in passing workers comp opt-out legislation

By: Sheena Harrison

Published May 05, 2013 - 6:00am CST

Oklahoma's plan to let employers opt out of the state's workers compensation system is likely to face legal challenges, but it also could be a model for other states to restructure their workers comp programs.

Fla. comp exclusive remedy may not apply in accidental death case

By: Sheena Harrison

Published May 03, 2013 - 3:52pm CST

A Publix Super Markets Inc. employee who accidentally killed his co-worker may not be protected against a negligence lawsuit by exclusive remedy provisions of Florida's workers compensation law, the Florida 1st District Court of Appeals said Wednesday.

Workers comp claims by professional athletes may be limited in Calif.

By: Sheena Harrison

Published May 03, 2013 - 1:35pm CST

A California bill that would limit workers compensation claims from out-of-state professional athletes has passed the California Assembly.

Minn. bills would require doctor, claimant contract on pain drugs

By: Roberto Ceniceros

Published May 03, 2013 - 12:22pm CST

Legislation expected to be signed into law would authorize Minnesota’s labor commissioner to require written contracts between doctors who prescribe opioid pain medications and workers compensation claimants who receive the pharmaceuticals.

Ohio governor proposes $1 billion workers comp dividend rebate

By: Roberto Ceniceros

Published May 02, 2013 - 4:19pm CST

Ohio Gov. John R. Kasich proposed Thursday that a $1 billion dividend rebate be shared among all 210,000 employer customers of the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation, the state's monopoly workers comp insurer.

Some employers can expect less workers comp insurance capacity: Marsh

By: Roberto Ceniceros

Published May 02, 2013 - 12:28pm CST

Employers with large employee concentrations, particularly in certain industries or cities, can expect that there will be less insurance capacity available for their workers compensation risks, according to Marsh Inc.

Florida lawmakers pass workers compensation measures

By: Sheena Harrison

Published May 02, 2013 - 11:18am CST

Florida lawmakers have approved a bill that would put a cap on reimbursement amounts for physician-dispensed prescriptions in workers compensation cases.

Security guard hurt on the job can't sue employer's client: Court

By: Roberto Ceniceros

Published May 01, 2013 - 9:25am CST

A security guard hurt during a job assignment cannot sue her employer's client for negligence since she signed a workers compensation disclaimer waiving her right to do so, a divided Pennsylvania Supreme Court has ruled.

Cancer biggest cause of long-term disability claims in 2012: Unum

By: Sheena Harrison

Published April 30, 2013 - 12:16pm CST

Cancer was the largest cause of long-term disability claims last year for Unum Group, while maternity leave represented the largest percentage of short-term disability filings for the disability insurer in 2012.

Tennessee governor signs workers compensation reform bill into law

By: Roberto Ceniceros

Published April 30, 2013 - 11:11am CST

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam signed a workers compensation reform bill into law on Monday that toughens the requirement for proving an injury is compensable.