AIG must pay $146.5M to settle alleged workers comp premium underreporting

By: Roberto Ceniceros

Published June 01, 2012 - 11:48am CST

HARRISBURG, Pa.—American International Group Inc. must pay state regulators $146.5 million by the end of June to settle 2006 allegations that its insurers underreported workers compensation premiums over several decades.

Employee's coffee-break injury not compensable: Court

By: Sheena Harrison

Published May 31, 2012 - 1:38pm CST

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.—The Missouri Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that workers compensation benefits should be denied for a Missouri woman who twisted her ankle while making a pot of coffee for herself and her coworkers.

Out-of-network doctor's report admissible evidence in workers comp case: Court

By: Roberto Ceniceros

Published May 31, 2012 - 12:04pm CST

A report from a doctor who is not part of an employer's workers compensation medical network is admissible as evidence for determining benefits, a California appellate court ruled.

Calif. workers comp advisory pure premium rate hike of 8.25% is approved

By: Roberto Ceniceros

Published May 30, 2012 - 10:10am CST

SACRAMENTO—California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones has approved a California workers compensation advisory pure premium rate hike amounting to 8.25% for new policies and those renewing on or after July 1, 2012.

Employee's off-duty car-crash injuries compensable: Court

By: Sheena Harrison

Published May 29, 2012 - 3:21pm CST

FRANKFORT, Ky.—The Kentucky Supreme Court says workers compensation benefits should be paid to a horse groomer who was injured in a car accident, even though his employer said the man was off-duty when the crash occurred.

'Rate-based' safety programs may discourage reporting

By: Roberto Ceniceros

Published May 27, 2012 - 6:00am CST

“Rate-based” safety incentive programs are drawing federal scrutiny for their potential to discourage workers from reporting accidents and injuries.

Opioid painkillers should be monitored electronically: N.Y. grand jury

By: Roberto Ceniceros

Published May 25, 2012 - 12:19pm CST

NEW YORK—A New York grand jury investigating an epidemic of controlled substance abuse has called on pharmaceutical manufacturers to help fund electronic monitoring of opioid pain medication prescribing.

Calif. workers comp claims show sharp increase in medical costs: Study

By: Sheena Harrison

Published May 25, 2012 - 11:01am CST

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.—California has seen a “steep” increase in medical costs for workers compensation claims despite reforms to the system in the last several years that initially reduced costs, according to the Workers Compensation Research Institute.

Maryland lawmakers vote to privatize workers compensation insurer

By: Sheena Harrison

Published May 23, 2012 - 11:34am CST

TOWSON, Md.—Maryland’s state workers compensation insurer will become a private, nonprofit corporation next year after state lawmakers passed legislation to privatize the Injured Workers’ Insurance Fund.

Increased drug testing for painkillers increases Calif. workers comp costs: Study

By: Roberto Ceniceros

Published May 23, 2012 - 9:34am CST

OAKLAND, Calif.—The widespread use of narcotic painkillers to treat injured workers has fueled exponential growth in drug testing, which added $100 million in costs to California's workers compensation system in 2011, according to a study released Tuesday.

NCCI’s 2012 State of the Line report

Published May 22, 2012 - 11:28am CST

NCCI’s 2012 State of the Line report contains lots of information on the workers compensation insurance market’s outlook, including the impact of Great Recession, insurer underwriting results, nationwide claims frequency data and the uncertain impact of health care reform.

Broadspire CEO Danielle Lisenbey discusses firm's future moves

Published May 20, 2012 - 6:00am CST

Broadspire CEO Danielle Lisenbey recently spoke with Business Insurance Senior Editor Roberto Ceniceros about how she envisions the future of the company.

Opioid death liability falling on employers

By: Roberto Ceniceros

Published May 20, 2012 - 6:00am CST

Several state appellate courts have held that employers and insurers are financially accountable for overdose deaths tied to opioid pain medications prescribed for injured workers, raising concerns that more such rulings could follow.

State court rulings require workers comp payments

By: Roberto Ceniceros

Published May 20, 2012 - 6:00am CST

While some state appellate courts recently have held that workers compensation payers are accountable for worker deaths from prescription drug overdoses, cases with similar legal considerations reach back decades.

Bostik to pay $600,000 in fines for safety infractions after explosion

By: Matt Dunning

Published May 18, 2012 - 3:13pm CST

MIDDLETON, Mass.—A Massachusetts adhesive manufacturer will pay $600,000 in fines for numerous safety infractions after a March 2011 explosion that injured four workers.

Workers comp claimants suing Montana Power could get retrial

By: Roberto Ceniceros

Published May 18, 2012 - 2:45pm CST

BUTTE, Mont.—Nearly 150 Montana workers compensation claimants suing a former employer for allegedly mishandling workers compensation claims over many years will get another chance at trial because of a juror’s misconduct, according to reports.

New York workers compensation board seeks 11.5% rate increase

By: Roberto Ceniceros

Published May 18, 2012 - 10:30am CST

NEW YORK—The New York Compensation Insurance Rating Board is seeking an 11.5% workers compensation rate increase, citing increased claims frequency among other cost drivers.

OFF BEAT: Woman competes in 80 foot races while collecting workers comp

Published May 18, 2012 - 10:14am CST

A former Florida mail carrier was convicted of health care fraud Tuesday after she competed in dozens of distance running events—including the Boston Marathon—while collecting workers compensation benefits.

Safety inspections don't hurt businesses: Study

Published May 18, 2012 - 9:30am CST

(Reuters)—Random inspections of U.S. industrial workplaces lower the risk of workers being injured on the job and have no measurable negative effect on the companies inspected, according to a study in the journal Science.

Physicians who own surgery centers perform more surgeries: Study

By: Sheena Harrison

Published May 17, 2012 - 2:27pm CST

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.—The Workers Compensation Research Institute says physicians who own ambulatory surgical centers perform more surgeries than doctors who don't own such facilities, which could become a factor in rising workers comp costs nationwide.

The impact of job stressors

Published May 17, 2012 - 2:19pm CST

Racial and ethnic minority groups often shoulder a disproportionate burden of stress-related illnesses, which potentially puts them at greater risk for workplace health, safety and productivity problems, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Missouri lawmakers pass bill that would prevent injured workers from suing colleagues

By: Sheena Harrison

Published May 16, 2012 - 11:37am CST

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.—Missouri legislators have passed a workers compensation bill that aims to prevent injured workers from suing their co-workers over workplace accidents.

Cardinal Health reaches agreement with DEA over alleged controlled substance distribution

By: Roberto Ceniceros

Published May 15, 2012 - 12:23pm CST

LAKELAND, Fla.—Cardinal Health Inc. reached an agreement with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency over allegations that its Lakeland, Fla., distribution center failed to ensure that controlled substances were not diverted for illegitimate uses.

Mississippi governor signs workers compensation reform bill

By: Sheena Harrison

Published May 15, 2012 - 11:56am CST

JACKSON, Miss.—Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant signed into law Monday a workers compensation reform bill that will require claimants to meet a higher burden of proof that their injuries were work-related.