NJ Legislators Want to Give Workers' Comp Laws 'More Teeth'
July 4, 2008 10:47

New Jersey lawmakers are calling to reform the state's workers' compensation system to cut down on delays in paying benefits.

Among the most interesting provisions of the proposed workers' compensation reform package would be to give judges and state officials "more power to punish employers and insurers that don't play by the rules," according to an article in the Star-Ledger.

"I would support giving more teeth to the workers' compensation judges when it comes to imposing sanctions on insurance companies for non-compliance," Sen. Paul Sarlo (D-Bergen), the committee chairman, said after a special hearing yesterday. "There can be no tolerance of foot-dragging by insurance companies in making payments to workers."

Tags: workers' compensation reform, New Jersey workers' compensation, injured workers

Teenager dies on construction job in Massachusetts
June 30, 2008 16:22

A new report on unsafe working conditions in Massachusetts includes the heartbreaking story of a 17-year-old man who fell to his death during a roofing job last August.The report, entitled Dying for Work in Massachusetts, was compiled to highlight workplace... (Read Article)

Insurers Begin Battle for W. Va. Workers' Comp Business
June 29, 2008 12:54

West Virginia is preparing for a battle over workers' compensation coverage this summer. On July 1, the state will begin allowing companies other than BrickStreet Mutual Insurance Company to provide workers' compensation insurance for businesses in the state.

But dozens of companies interested in entering the market have attended open market forums sponsored by the state Insurance Commission. More than 20 companies that have not previously offered insurance in West Virginia have been licensed to write workers' compensation coverage.

At least one company - Liberty Mutual Insurance Co. - is already visiting employers, seeking their business and offering quotes.

It will be interesting to see what this increased competition does to workers' compensation insurance rates in West Virginia.

Tags: West Virginia workers' compensation insurance; BrickStreet; injured workers, workers' comp

SOURCE: http://sundaygazettemail.com

Man Who Failed to Report Low-Paying Job Convicted of Workers' Comp Fraud
June 26, 2008 10:34

Workers' compensation fraud by employees is very rare. Most independent studies indicate that only 1 percent of workers' compensation fraud is committed by employees; employers who misclassify employees as independent contractors, lie about the number of people they employ or fail to carry workers' compensation insurance are responsible for most fraud.

But here's a story about a man who was convicted of collecting workers' compensation benefits that the court determined he was not entitled. However, it seems that his only crime was not revealing that he had found a low-paying job.

Henry A. Wisneski, 51, [Solvay, N.Y.], pleaded guilty to a felony count of third-degree insurance fraud. He admitted obtaining the benefits from April 2006 through November 2007 by failing to report that he was earning $75 a week on another job.

County Judge Anthony Aloi promised Wisneski a sentence of five years probation and set sentencing for June 2. The judge said Wisneski could be terminated from probation as soon as he makes full restitution.

Wisneski collected $17,000 in workers' compensation benefits that he wasn't entitled, according to the court.

Source: Syracuse.com
Topics: workers' compensation benefits, injured worker, workplace injury, workers' compensation fraud, workers' compensation attorney

Insurers Ask for Changes to NY Workers' Comp Insurance Fund
June 26, 2008 09:29

Insurance companies in New York must be feeling competitive pressure from the New York State Insurance Fund because they've asked legislators to make changes to how the fund is operated.

Under a proposal put together by the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of New York, oversight of the State Insurance Fund would be moved to the New York Insurance Department, which would be required to review the fund for solvency and monitor its market practices. It would also rescind a state law that requires policyholders to give the fund 30 days' notice when they cancel their policies.

Legislation making those changes was introduced earlier this month in both the State Senate and State Assembly.

The fund, which is run by the state, is self-supporting. It originally was set up to provide workers' compensation insurance coverage to companies that couldn't get coverage elsewhere because the risk of workplace injury was high. But according to insurers, "over the years, however, the fund has evolved to compete directly with private carriers and now writes an estimated 40 percent of workers compensation insurance policies in New York."

Source: Insurance Journal

Ohio Honors Fallen Workers
June 25, 2008 08:40

Ohio recently paid tribute to workers who were killed on the job.

It's important that states do something to honor the thousands of people who are injured or killed at work every year. However, the most appropriate tribute would be to improve workplace safety and crack down on employers that are creating unsafe working conditions so that more workers and their families don't have to suffer the same fate.

The ceremony in Ohio was sponsored by the Central Ohio Labor Council at Workers Memorial Park in downtown Columbus "to pay tribute to central Ohio workers who died as a result of a workplace accident. The names of workers killed on-the-job in 2007 were read at the park's memorial wall during the ceremony."

Since 1912, Ohio's workers' compensation system has helped employers and employees cope with workplace injuries by providing safety education and medical and compensation benefits for work-related injuries, diseases and deaths.

Tags: injured workers, workers' compensation, workplace death, killed on the job, injured on the job, workplace fatality, workplace injury, Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation