My Predictions For Last Year, How Close Was I?

It is time to review the accuracies of last year’s annual (or occasionally semi-annual) predictions for the future. As per usual, I did not get many things right, but I see no reason for that to discourage me from trying it again.
January 7, 2019 Workers' Compensation

You Better Work: Identifying And Preventing Fraud In The Workplace

While most property/casualty insurance claims are legitimate, the National Insurance Crime Bureau says studies indicate that 10 percent or more of all claims are fraudulent. Workers compensation insurance fraud is not only illegal, but the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud says it also costs businesses billions of dollars each year and can lead to higher insurance premiums for policyholders.
January 2, 2019 Fraud Workers' Compensation

Two Truckers Killed In Semi Pileup On Icy Montana Interstate

Two truck drivers died Wednesday in a predawn, chain-reaction pileup of five tractor-trailers on icy Interstate 90 between Alberton and Superior.
December 21, 2018 Auto Subrogation Workers' Compensation Montana

Illinois Supreme Court Opens Door To Employee Intervention After Statute Of Limitations Runs

The Illinois Supreme Court has somewhat clarified an injured employee’s rights to pursue a third-party case by intervening into a third-party subrogation suit filed by the workers’ compensation carrier, even after the personal injury Statute of Limitations (“SOL”) runs.
December 18, 2018 Litigation Subrogation Workers' Compensation Illinois

Los Angeles Chiropractor Pleads Guilty In $150M Workers’ Compensation Fraud Conspiracy

A 56-year-old chiropractor has pleaded guilty for his role in a massive workers’ compensation insurance fraud and conspiracy scheme, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced today.
December 18, 2018 Fraud Workers' Compensation California

The Value Of Safety Plans For Claims Management

With limited exceptions, state and federal workers compensation programs are no-fault systems. Regardless of how reckless or ill-conceived an employee’s actions are, they are generally still going to be entitled to recovery through workers compensation under most circumstances.
December 14, 2018 Risk Management Workers' Compensation

Advocacy Based Claims Comes Of Age At NWCDC

For the many people who have been advocating a shift in our workers’ compensation claims handling philosophy the last few years, this year’s National Workers’ Compensation and Disability Conference in Las Vegas was not a disappointment.
December 11, 2018 Workers' Compensation

Bear Spray Incident At NJ Amazon Warehouse Shines Light On Safety Record

Internet giant Amazon was urged by a worker advocacy group weeks ago to give workplace safety its urgent attention.
December 6, 2018 Workers' Compensation New Jersey

Explosion Causes Fire At Bakersfield IKEA, Two People Injured

Two people injured during a fire at IKEA in Tejon on Sunday afternoon, according to the Kern County Fire Department. KCFD said an explosion caused a fire at the IKEA on Industrial Parkway.
December 5, 2018 Excess & Surplus Lines Liability Workers' Compensation California

Radiology Office Manager Convicted In $22M Worker’s Comp Scam

An office manager for a medical practice was convicted Thursday for a workers’ compensation kickback scheme that defrauded insurance companies of more than $22 million, the San Diego District Attorney’s Office announced Friday.
December 3, 2018 Fraud Workers' Compensation California

Explosion At Idaho Hazardous Waste Site Kills 1, Injures 3

An explosion Saturday at a hazardous waste site in southwestern Idaho killed one worker, injured three others and heavily damaged a building, officials said. US Ecology, which runs the site, said Monte “Alex” Green of Grand View, Idaho, died of his injuries from the explosion at 9:23 a.m. inside one of the buildings at the facility.
November 19, 2018 Property Workers' Compensation Idaho

How To Use ODG Data To Improve Workers Comp Case Management

Regardless of whether or not their organizations operate in states where the use of Official Disability Guidelines (ODG) has been adopted/mandated, risk managers can often leverage ODG data and the claim data from their risk management information systems (RMIS) to benchmark the medical and lost-time components of their workers compensation costs against national averages.
November 8, 2018 Workers' Compensation

Cleared For Launch: CLM’s Universal Claims Certification Is Ready For Takeoff

Nearly three years ago, CLM began the process of creating the Universal Claims Certification (UCC) for states that license claims professionals. The goal was simple: Create one educational standard to rule them all.
November 6, 2018 Auto Legislation & Regulation Liability Property Workers' Compensation

Amazon Warehouse In Baltimore Struck By Tornado, Two Killed

The National Weather Service has confirmed that a tornado struck Baltimore City and County Friday night, resulting in the partial collapse of an Amazon warehouse where two people were killed, and causing heavy damage at a nearby Dundalk apartment complex.
November 5, 2018 Auto Property Workers' Compensation Maryland

New York Comp Reforms Increased Indemnity Payments, Improved Timing

Indemnity payments for injured workers increased as much as 9% from 2007 to 2014 in New York as a result of state reforms launched in 2007, according to a report released Tuesday by the Cambridge, Massachusetts-based Workers Compensation Research Institute.
November 2, 2018 Legislation & Regulation Workers' Compensation New York
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