Quote of the day
"Piecemeal in California means you never go back and [fix] the program."
Bill Zachry, vice president of risk management at Safeway
Contentious Return-to-Work Issues Far from Over
Perhaps the most important goal of the California workers’ comp system—getting the return-to-work system straightened out—is proving an enormous hurdle. Both employers and labor subtly and not so subtly blame each other for the impasse—it’s been deal or no deal all session. But who is really to blame? Premium subscribers can find out what the issues are and where both sides stand, in the current issue of Workers’ Comp Executive.
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Workplace Fatalities
Preliminary statistics show that California’s employers reduced workplace fatalities by nearly 10% last year. But these still have an effect on California workers’ comp. Find out how much the cost driver really is, in the current issue of Workers’ Comp Executive.
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New Treatment Guidelines on the Way
The Division of Workers’ Compensation has brought havoc to the system. It made decisions that have generated a flurry of industry response—900 pages’ worth. And we bring them all to you. Just kidding, but we do bring you the reality of the situation and some hard facts. Click here if you’re a premium subscriber.
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Will a 16-Point Rate Increase Be Enough?
The Bureau has filed for a 16% increase in pure premium. But some already question whether this will be adequate even for the near term. What are the cost drivers, what are the projections, what do the carriers think, and what will the commissioner do? We can answer most of those for you if you’re a premium subscriber and you click here.
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With Getting Them Back to Work in Mind
If an employee is out of work because of a workplace injury, why not provide the same incentives and provide the same access to the injured worker as to the rest of the unemployed? Some stakeholders in the return-to-work debate propose just that. Find out what’s being discussed and what some of the programs are, in the current edition of Workers’ Comp Executive.
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The Stars Might Lie, but Numbers Never Do
Insurance Regulatory Information System (IRIS) ratios from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners have arrived. Which insurance companies have been cruising on easy street this year, and which carriers are cruisin’ for a bruisin’?
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SIG Bill on the List for Next Year
Self-insured groups whose members are jointly and severally liable for one another’s claims have some serious issues with transparency. And various special interests are all over the place as far as what the public—and you—should know. Find out who did what to whom and what is going to happen next year. Premium subscribers can click right here.
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Olive Oil Manufacturers Press for Change
California’s small but growing olive oil industry is being grouped with vegetable oil manufacturers for rating purposes. Find out why they oppose the move and what classification they think might be a better fit. If it’s tutti-frutti to you, better click here to get the skinny.
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Publius: It’s a 16% Rate Increase—Or Is It?
Publius outlines how we got where we are, and how carriers can get where they’re going. Well, they’ll get somewhere. Click here to find out their choices and what Publius thinks they have to do to get a rate increase out of the Department.
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Readers Respond
A recent FLASH Report detailing the current state of transparency at the State Compensation Insurance Fund generated a flurry of responses from readers. See what your colleagues and our publisher has to say on the matter.
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