Quote of the day
“They pulled all of our language out. This is an issue in the state that’s been debated for a number of years. I don’t think there is any more debate to be had.”
Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder
Note to our valued subscribers: Workers’ Comp Executive will be taking its annual summer break starting Monday, July 1. We will resume daily netletter publication Monday, July 15. We wish all of our subscribers a happy Independence Day.
Senate bill would cover firefighters under federal workers’ comp
Legislation introduced in the U.S. Senate this week, the Federal Firefighters Fairness Act of 2019, would amend the Federal Employee Compensation Act to make it easier for firefighters to be covered by federal workers’ compensation by putting federal workers’ comp benefits on par with the more than 40 states that have enacted presumptive disability laws. Firefighters experience a 14 percent increase in cancer-related deaths and a nine percent increase in cancer diagnoses when compared to the rest of the U.S. population, according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Homeland Preparedness News
Ohio Senate strips PTSD coverage for first responders from workers’ comp budget
The Ohio Senate has rejected mandates to provide workers’ compensation for first responders diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and to make all injured workers declare their immigration status, but unanimously approved the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation budget yesterday. The Fraternal Order of Police of Ohio says it will continue to fight for the PTSD language. Columbus Dispatch
Telecommuter case goes to Florida’s high court
An individual who worked from home as a claims adjuster alleges she is entitled to workers’ compensation after tripping over her dog while reaching for a coffee cup in her kitchen during work hours, and has appealed to the Florida Supreme Court. Her workers’ comp claim was denied on grounds the injuries did not arise out of her employment. nwfdailynews
Georgia county official indicted for insurance fraud
A grand jury in Georgia handed down another indictment Wednesday against an insurance agent and Glynn County commissioner who is charged with insurance fraud and violating reporting and disposition of premium requirements. Prosecutors say he took money for insurance and workers’ comp from two individuals and used it for his own benefit. Brunswick News
West Virginia justices side with employer in workers’ comp discrimination case
The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals has ruled, in a case in which an individual alleged workers’ compensation discrimination against her former employer after she was fired, and challenged the arbitration agreement’s delegation clause, that the lower court should have referred arguments about the enforceability of the agreement to the arbitrator. West Virginia Record
Fort Worth police officer sheds light on denials of workers’ comp extensions
A Fort Worth, Texas police officer who saved a drowning man in 2015 but was injured when a truck rear-ended her patrol car the following year is speaking out about the workers’ compensation system for first responders, specifically, provisions covering available leave. WFAA (Dallas)