Driver must show officials knew he filed WC claim 7 years earlier

Not Just Hot Air October 5, 2009 at 3:57 pm A federal appeals court decides that a key climate change lawsuit against utility companies can go forward. CO2 emitters everywhere, beware. Hawaii: Comp rates expected to fall for fifth straight year, state officials say October 5, 2009 at 3:57 pm Workers' compensation rates in Hawaii are expected to decline for the fifth consecutive year in 2010, officials recently announced. Strategies to Combat Medical Provider Fraud in Workers' Compensation October 5, 2009 at 3:57 pm Our workers' comp guru Peter Rousmaniere explains how to isolate fraudulent medical providers and tackle pain management fraud. Treatment for mental health problems improves employee productivity October 5, 2009 at 3:57 pm Effective treatment for employee mental health problems leads to significant improvements in productivity, according to a study. Oregon: Workers' compensation rate to decline slightly for fourth straight year October 5, 2009 at 3:57 pm Employers in Oregon will pay less for workers' compensation coverage in the coming year, officials announced. Refusal of return-to-work request raises questions for trial October 5, 2009 at 3:57 pm Employers should be mindful that consistency in implementation of policies and treatment of employees is crucial to preventing discrimination claims. Time on strike excluded from wage calculation October 5, 2009 at 3:57 pm The Virginia Court of Appeals upheld a ruling that a worker¿s preinjury average weekly wage computation does not include the weeks when the worker was on strike. Corrected eyesight serves as baseline for determining total vision loss October 5, 2009 at 3:57 pm In Ohio, a magistrate may use a worker's corrected preinjury visual acuity as the baseline for determining vision loss after an industrial injury. Opening up Brazil to Reinsurance October 5, 2009 at 3:57 pm A liberalization of Brazil's reinsurance market would offer the price volatility coverage long sought by that nation's farmers. Massachusetts: State launches Web-based tool to verify comp coverage for businesses October 5, 2009 at 3:57 pm Massachusetts officials recently launched a free, Web-based tool assist the public in verifying whether a particular business has a current workers' compensation policy. Failure to show fall from chair caused injuries undermines physician's opinion October 5, 2009 at 3:57 pm In Colorado, a worker must first show that her impairment was caused by a work-related injury. An authorized treating physician's opinion alone does not establish a right to benefits. Study finds walking programs can lower costs, improve employee health October 2, 2009 at 1:14 am Employers can achieve significant savings by starting a workplace walking program for employees, according to a white paper. Mr. Smith, the Bipartisan, Goes to Burlington October 2, 2009 at 1:14 am Bipartisan track record and ties to business cited as key reasons in selection for new VCIA president. WORKERSCOMP ForumTM Update: Sept. 10, 2009 October 2, 2009 at 1:14 am Pilot study finds chiropractic care, physical therapy may reduce costs October 2, 2009 at 1:14 am Individuals with musculoskeletal disorders who received chiropractic care or physical therapy had lower health care costs and were less likely to have surgery than employees who did not receive those services, according to a recent report. Employer can recover WC costs from armed robber October 2, 2009 at 1:14 am Under California's crime victims' compensation law, a business that incurs costs as a result of criminal conduct can recover the costs from the perpetrator. 'Grassy area' not sufficient description to identify employer premises October 2, 2009 at 1:14 am In Virginia, an employee may be able to show she sustained a compensable injury if she can establish the place she fell was a place where her employer had a "right of passage." California: Hearing to address subsection for piling material regulation October 2, 2009 at 1:14 am The Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board will consider proposed revisions to Title 8, Construction Safety Orders of the California Code of Regulations, Div. 1, Chapter 4, Subchapter 4, Article 7, Section 1549, Piling Material at a public hearing to be held Sept. 17, 2009. Iowa, Minnesota Ranked As Most Effective WC Systems in Nation October 2, 2009 at 1:14 am The workers' compensation systems in Iowa and Minnesota are the most effective in handling claims, according to a national study by the Work Loss Data Institute. On the other hand, Illinois, Wyoming, Rhode Island and New York performed poorly and ranked near the bottom of the list. Illinois: OSHA proposes approval of Illinois state public employee protection plan October 2, 2009 at 1:14 am Officials for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recently announced their support for a new Illinois state public employee protection plan. Back injuries remain significant problem October 2, 2009 at 1:14 am In developing the most recent report, researchers from the Work Loss Data Institute chose to focus on a few significant conditions impacting workers' compensation systems across the country. National spending on comp increases but slowed by California trends October 2, 2009 at 1:14 am Workers' compensation payments for medical care and cash benefits in the U.S. increased by 2 percent in 2007, according to a report. However, the modest growth in national spending was slowed by large declines in California case benefit payments that followed workers' comp reforms in 2003 and 2004, researchers said. Iowa: Employers may see slight increase in WC rates October 2, 2009 at 1:14 am Employers in Iowa may be in line for an increase in workers' compensation rates in 2010, according to a recent filing by the National Council on Compensation Insurance. Texas: Deadline for comments approaching quickly October 2, 2009 at 1:14 am The Division of Workers' Compensation has prepared a working draft of rules and is accepting informal comments on amendments to 28 TAC 133.2, 133.10, 133.210, 133.500, 133.501 and 134.120 and the addition of 28 TAC 133.502, concerning paper medical billing, medical documentation, and electronic medical billing requirements. Lloyd's Shines Against Cloudy Backdrop October 2, 2009 at 1:14 am Lloyd's has steadily restored its fortunes, but Chief Executive Officer Richard Ward sees many challenges still ahead, including insurers redomiciling away from London and politicians who don't appreciate reinsurance. Stressing About Nonaccidental Injuries October 2, 2009 at 1:14 am A manager had a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day at work. Then she had a stroke. Are the two related? You be the judge. Bill Review: Up for Grabs October 2, 2009 at 1:14 am I've been in this industry for a long time, but I can't remember a time when there has been so much bill-review business up for grabs. How much is up for grabs, and should your bills be too, you ask? R&I OneTM: September 8, 2009 October 2, 2009 at 1:14 am A Few Notes of Dissent at the Rendez-Vous October 2, 2009 at 1:14 am While outside reports suggest reinsurers have seen the worst of the financial crisis, insiders at the Rendez-Vous meeting know better: The industry is far from out of the woods. People on the Move: Legal October 2, 2009 at 1:14 am Editor's Choice Stories: September 8, 2009 October 2, 2009 at 1:14 am New Product Announcements: September 8, 2009 October 2, 2009 at 1:14 am People on the Move: Brokers October 2, 2009 at 1:14 am People on the Move: Insurance October 2, 2009 at 1:14 am Tweet This: Social Networking Can Be a Job Hazard October 2, 2009 at 1:14 am Online social networking poses more a threat to businesses than they're, or their employees, are willing to believe at the moment. Don't expect any rush for Facebook insurance policies just yet. Long hours may be putting employees at greater risk of health problems October 2, 2009 at 1:14 am Employees today are logging more hours at the office, and many safety experts believe this trend is having a significant impact on the health of the workforce. Letter not deliberate intent to harm; suicide is 'work-related traumatic event' October 2, 2009 at 1:14 am In Kentucky, the timing of the employer's harmful conduct rather than the timing of the injury itself determines whether a worker's suicide arises out of and in the course of employment for purposes of applying the exclusive remedy of workers' compensation. Driver must show officials knew he filed WC claim 7 years earlier October 2, 2009 at 1:14 am In Illinois, an employee asserting a retaliatory discharge claim must establish those responsible for firing him knew about his workers' compensation claim. Ohio: WC board votes to strengthen requirements for group sponsors October 2, 2009 at 1:14 am The Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation's board of directors recently voted to further strengthen the requirements for associations that provide services to employers who qualify for group discounts. Massachusetts: Study finds workers' comp medical payments low, but steadily increasing October 2, 2009 at 1:14 am Workers' compensation medical payments are among the lowest in the country despite steady increases since 2001. Factual disputes allow UPS worker's discrimination claims to continue October 2, 2009 at 1:14 am In New Jersey, questions involving the validity of medical documentation will prevent summary judgment in disability discrimination cases where the employee's ability to perform the essential duties of her job after an injury are at issue. IT Budgets to Get Needed Support October 2, 2009 at 1:14 am In 2010, IT budgets are expected to rise slightly or at least stay level. Top three projects could include policy administration and agent portal upgrades and underwriter workflow changes. Fire Starter October 2, 2009 at 1:14 am An early-season, large wildfire has observers on edge, and the Santa Anas are yet to come.