Quote of the day
"The real success story here is that these savings reflect the thousands of Oregon construction workers who went home injury-free day after day as a result of the hard work of all those involved."
Christy Witzke, SAIF Group Insurance and State Agency operations manager, about the Oregon agency's collaboration with Associated General Contractors in returning $11.7 million to member businesses
Go to the full story in the Hillsboro Argus via OregonLive.com
N.C. Rate Bureau Asks for 5.9 Percent Boost
In North Carolina, insurers are seeking an average increase of 5.9 percent in workers’ compensation insurance rates. The N.C. Rate Bureau’s request is nevertheless the lowest increase it has sought since 2002. By David Ranii, Raleigh News & Observer
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Former BWC Investment Boss Hit with Ethics Chargegs
Prosecutors in Columbus charge a former Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation investment director with filing a false financial disclosure statement that allegedly failed to disclose certain gifts and meals with the Ohio Ethics Commission. The charges come nearly two years after the BWC fired James McLean, who faces up to six months in jail if convicted.
Go to the full story by Mark Rollenhagen, Cleveland Plain Dealer
Go to the full story by Laura A. Bischoff, Western Star (Lebanon, Ohio)
AGC/SAIF Program to Refund $11.7 Million to Members
Oregon construction contractors participating in the Associated General Contractors and SAIF Corporation workers’ compensation program are receiving an $11.7 million return on their annual insurance premiums. In total, over $13.2 million, or more than one-third of the total premium paid, is being returned to participating members. Hillsboro Argus via OregonLive.com
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Surcharge for Repeat Safety Offenders is First for Province
The 79 scofflaws that the Nova Scotia Workers Compensation Board is ordering to pay coverage surcharges, which in some cases amount to increases of hundreds of thousands of dollars, have had safety records 200 percent worse than the industry average for at least four consecutive years. It’s the first time the board has added a surcharge to the regular levy increase for repeat offenders. By Bill Power, Chronicle Herald (Halifax)
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Utah WCF Hands Out $22 Million Dividend
The Utah Workers Compensation Fund is distributing a dividend totaling $22 million to a majority of policyholders, with each receiving about 8 percent of their earned premium attributable to the 2006 calendar year. Deseret Morning News (Salt Lake City)
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New York Insurance Chief Calls for Competition, Transparency
New York State Insurance Superintendent Eric Dinallo calls for workers’ compensation rates to be determined by open competition among insurance carriers. Under the system, aggregate industry-wide costs and associated expenses would be published, carriers would set rates based on individual risk, underwriting experience and expenses, and rates would be subject to prior approval of the insurance department. Business Review (Albany)
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Widow Sues Town for Husband’s Death in Trench Collapse
The widow of a plumber who died in a trench collapse sues the town of Thompson, N.Y., two construction companies and their owners for an undisclosed dollar amount. Fed-OSHA reportedly found no shoring equipment at the trench site. By Adam Bosch, Times Herald-Record (Middletown, N.Y.) [With Photo] Go to the Full Story…