Quote of the day
"The basic premise of my bill is that mental injuries are real and can be every bit as painful as physical injuries. It will not apply to a large number of cases, but for the cases where it will apply, it could literally be a lifesaver."
Nebraska Sen. Abbie Cornett
‘Should Workers’ Comp Cover Mental Trauma?’
Nebraska lawmakers debate whether state law should allow workers’ compensation to cover mental injuries independent of physical injuries. Critics argue that the bill could expand workers’ comp dramatically, with unknown effects on its costs. By Martha Stoddard, Omaha World-Herald
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New Jersey’s Capital City Considers Workers’ Comp Overhaul
The city of Trenton, N.J., would change the way it manages its workers’ compensation program under two resolutions approving competitive bidding processes. One is for occupational health medical services, while the other is to hire a consultant to manage the care of employees who have workers’ comp cases. By Andrew Kitchenman, Trenton Times
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Mountain State Gov Weighs in on BrickStreet Brouhaha
West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin, who regularly points to workers’ compensation reform as one of his most important achievements, says it’s wrong for BrickStreet Mutual Insurance Co. to have its annual meeting for agents in Kentucky instead of West Virginia. By George Hohmann, Times West Virginian (Fairmont, W.V.)
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N.B. Workers’ Comp Fiscally Strong Despite Obstacles
In New Brunswick, poorer than expected investment returns and a new law containing a presumption clause for certain occupational diseases for firefighters produced an approximately $48 million USD deficit in 2007. However, workers’ compensation in the province is fiscally strong. Times & Transcript [may require registration] Go to the Full Story…
GAO: Federal Workers’ Comp Programs Exceed Their Scope
A new Government Accountability Office report that analyzes the structure and cost of four federal workers’ compensation programs reveals that they were expanded beyond their original scope to cover additional medical conditions, increase benefits and expand eligibility categories. By Katherine Torres, Occupational Hazards
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Slaughterhouse Workers’ Benefits Denial Was Automatic
The denial of workers’ compensation to a Minnesota pork plant worker, one of 13 who developed a neurological disease after exposure to vaporized pig brains, was automatic, company officials say. The insurer reportedly wants more information on all affected workers. By Sea Stachura, Minnesota Public Radio
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