Social Security disability applications fall, but payments rise: Survey

By: Mike Tsikoudakis

Published June 18, 2013 - 1:36pm CST

While the number of long-term disability claimants fell slightly in 2012, total claim payments among member disability insurers grew for a fifth straight year to $9.4 billion, the Council for Disability Awareness said Tuesday.

Dismissal upheld in legal malpractice claim by AIG unit, policyholder

By: Judy Greenwald

Published June 17, 2013 - 2:07pm CST

An appeals court has upheld dismissal of a legal malpractice claim filed by a trucking company and an American International Group Inc. unit against an attorney who missed the deadline for filing an appeal of a $6 million jury verdict, concluding his clients would not have been successful in their appeal anyway.

Comp exclusive remedy, Human Rights Act bar gay man's harassment suit

By: Sheena Harrison

Published June 13, 2013 - 2:47pm CST

A man allegedly subjected to harassment at work about his sexual orientation cannot sue his former employer for negligence because workers compensation exclusive remedy provisions and the Human Rights Act bar his lawsuit, an Illinois appellate court has ruled.

EEOC's disability discrimination case against UPS must proceed: Judge

By: Judy Greenwald

Published June 13, 2013 - 1:23pm CST

A federal judge has denied United Parcel Service Inc.'s effort to appeal his latest ruling in a disability discrimination case filed against it by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and said the case should proceed to discovery.

Texas contract worker who lost arm limited to workers comp remedy: Court

By: Sheena Harrison

Published June 10, 2013 - 12:59pm CST

Exclusive remedy rules prevent a contract employee whose arm was amputated in an on-the-job accident from suing the city he was working for at the time, the Texas Supreme Court has ruled.

PTSD must arise from physical injury to qualify for Ohio comp benefits

By: Roberto Ceniceros

Published June 05, 2013 - 11:13am CST

A mental condition such as post-traumatic stress disorder is compensable under Ohio workers compensation law only when it is caused by a physical injury, the state's Supreme Court has ruled.

West Columbia, N.C., to improve accessibility for the disabled

By: Judy Greenwald

Published June 03, 2013 - 1:03pm CST

The City of West Columbia, N.C., has reached an agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice under which it will physically modify its facilities to improve access for disabled persons under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Comp benefits ended for school bus driver with 'addictive tendency'

By: Roberto Ceniceros

Published May 31, 2013 - 2:30pm CST

A workers compensation referee ruled properly that a worker's “addictive tendency” and consistent focus on getting narcotic pain medication contributed to disqualifying her from continuing to receive disability benefits.

Mining company settles charges of failing to accommodate disabled worker

By: Judy Greenwald

Published May 31, 2013 - 1:01pm CST

A coal mining company has agreed to pay $150,000 to settle a disability lawsuit in which it was accused of failing to accommodate a worker with a club foot.

Disability Management Employer Coalition names executive director

By: Anna Gaynor

Published May 31, 2013 - 12:52pm CST

The Disability Management Employer Coalition has named Terri L. Rhodes as executive director of the educational organization.

High court lets stand ruling to reassign disabled workers to vacant jobs

By: Judy Greenwald

Published May 30, 2013 - 3:38pm CST

The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday refused to reconsider a 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act may require employers to reassign employees to a vacant position when the employee cannot be accommodated in his or her current position.

Cigna to pay more than $2M in disability claims irregularities

By: Roberto Ceniceros

Published May 24, 2013 - 3:00pm CST

Cigna Corp. will pay $1.6 million in fines and pay long-term disability policyholders up to $77 million to settle allegations of irregular claims-handling practices, California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones announced Friday.

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.

EEOC publishes specific disabilities guides

Published May 15, 2013 - 6:00am CST

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has issued four revised documents on how the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) applies to applicants and employees with cancer, diabetes, epilepsy and intellectual disabilities.

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.

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.

OFF BEAT: Limbs really severed, but claims fraudulent

Published April 29, 2013 - 12:06pm CST

Two Spaniards are a cut above the rest when in comes to collecting insurance fraud money.

Employee cannot sue employer for firing over medical marijuana use

By: Mike Tsikoudakis

Published April 26, 2013 - 11:36am CST

A disabled worker fired for engaging in prescription medical marijuana use cannot sue his employer under state civil rights law, the Colorado Court of Appeals has ruled.

2.1% cut in workers comp rate proposed for Ohio employers

By: Sheena Harrison

Published April 26, 2013 - 10:51am CST

The Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation is considering a 2.1% reduction in workers compensation rates—a move that the bureau says would save private employers $29 million in the next year.

OFF BEAT: Oft-injured prison guard faces fraud charge

Published April 25, 2013 - 3:24pm CST

Heavy hangs the head that wears the crown.

Zurich to refund nearly $4.6M in N.Y. statutory disability insurance

By: Sheena Harrison

Published April 22, 2013 - 11:26am CST

Zurich American Insurance Co. will refund nearly $4.6 million to 73,000 New York statutory disability insurance policyholders because it did not spend at least 60% of its total premiums on benefits, New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said Monday.

OFF BEAT: Little bug gets police officer big payout

Published April 22, 2013 - 10:26am CST

A tiny flea bite resulted in a big payout for a British police officer, who reportedly received nearly $12,200 in compensation for the workplace injury.

ADA amendment leads to uptick in EEOC charges

By: Mike Tsikoudakis

Published April 21, 2013 - 6:00am CST

CHICAGO — An uptick in charges filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and data and privacy issues present significant risks for law firms and other professional firms.