Quote of the day
"It's very, very sad, but that doesn't mean we have to just brush over the facts."
Dana Childers, spokeswoman for a campaign against a Washington referendum that would allow triple damages against an insurance company for unreasonably denying a claim; opponents claim television ads using the death of a firefighter from cancer to illustrate their point are misleading.
Six Subpoenaed in Scranton-Area Workers’ Comp Probe
A federal grand jury investigating irregularities in Lackawanna County, Pa.’s workers’ compensation fund subpoenas six county officials to testify about administration of the fund by a connected firm, pursuant to a no-bid contract awarded by the majority county commissioners. Scranton Times-Tribune
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Oklahoma Courts Narrow ‘Industrial Bargain’
In a case involving a worker who was injured in the crash of a poorly-maintained and unsafe van, the Oklahoma Supreme Court identifies one means for piercing the employer’s shield from workplace injury liability: The intentional tort theory. By Janice Francis-Smith, Journal Record (Oklahoma City)
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NYC-Area Cop Charged with Workers’ Comp Fraud
A former New Castle, N.Y., police officer stands accused of workers’ compensation fraud for allegedly failing to report his new electrical contracting gig after retiring from the force. The charge carries a potential four-year prison term. By Shawn Cohen, Journal News (White Plains)
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WCC Appointment a Case of ‘Jobs for the Boys’?
The appointment of the brother of former Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating to the highly-paid by presidency of the New South Wales Workers Compensation Commission, despite his limited judicial experience, stirs things up down under. ABC News (Australia)
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Green Mountain State Roofer Admits Fraud
A Vermont roofer who allegedly failed to obtain workers’ compensation insurance for his employees on several roofing jobs pleads guilty to four misdemeanor charges, according to the state attorney general. Burlington Free Press
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Washington Referendum Advocates, Foes Exploit Firefighter’s Death
In Washington State, the sad circumstances of a Puyallup firefighter’s death from cancer at age 53 are being rehashed in competing television ads regarding Referendum 67, which would ratify a new law allowing consumers to sue for triple damages if an insurance company “unreasonably” denies a legitimate claim. By Ralph Thomas, Seattle Times [With Photo] Go to the Full Story…
What Does the Future Hold for BrickStreet?
As West Virginia moves toward a private, competitive workers’ compensation system in mid-2008, some wonder what will happen to the company that laid the groundwork. And how will the state fare? By Beth Gorczyca, State Journal
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