Merced, CA – A former Nutrition Assistant was recently arraigned on four counts of insurance fraud after an investigation by the Department of Insurance found that she allegedly lied about the extent of prior injuries in an attempt to receive nearly $7,000 in undeserved workers’ compensation payments. On October 5, 2018, Kia Lor, a former… [Read more]
Work Force & Human Resource News
The Transitions Launches Industrywide Workers’ Comp Mentorship Program
Atlanta, GA – The Transitions, a volunteer-run organization created to help the workers’ compensation industry address the influx and outflux of talent over the coming decade, has officially launched an industrywide mentorship program to elevate the next generation of workers’ compensation leaders. The new, cross-organizational mentorship program was launched during the group’s third webinar of… [Read more]
Cal/OSHA Cites Multiple Employers for COVID-19 Violations
Oakland, CA – Cal/OSHA has cited multiple employers for not protecting workers from COVID-19 following inspections in various industries throughout the state. Violations were identified in industries including construction, garment, correctional institutions and medical. Cal/OSHA opened the inspections after learning of COVID-19 fatalities and illnesses, and after receiving complaints. The employers cited for COVID-19 violations… [Read more]
OSHA Cites Manufacturer for Coronavirus Protection Failures, Exposure Leads to Workers’ Death
Grandview, MO – Two machine operators at a Grandview auto parts manufacturer who jointly operated a press tested positive for the coronavirus just two days apart, in late August 2020. The two workers typically labored for hours at a time less than two feet apart; neither wore a protective facial mask consistently. Ten days later,… [Read more]
MIOSHA Cites 16 Employers for COVID-19 Workplace Safety Violations
Lansing, MI – The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) recently inspected and issued COVID-19 emergency rule or general duty citations to 16 different workplaces with violations for failing to protect workers and take safety precautions. MIOSHA’s goal is to keep employees and workplaces safe. All agency activities focus on helping to protect the… [Read more]
CA Agriculture Co. Owner & Daughter Sentenced in $2.5 Million Workers’ Comp Fraud Scheme
Merced, CA – Felipe Saurez Barocio of Atwater, owner of Agriculture Services, Inc., and his daughter, Angelita Barocio-Negrete of Merced, were sentenced to 10 years after pleading no contest to six felony counts of insurance fraud each. Pursuant to Penal Code 1170(h), they will both serve six years in custody and four years on mandatory… [Read more]
Axiom Medical Surpasses Four Million Check-ins on CheckIn2Work App
Houston, TX – Axiom Medical recently announced it has exceeded four million check-ins on its CheckIn2Work app, which provides workplace point-of-entry protection and case management through an experienced staff of medical professionals. The technology now has 86,000 users and delivers a self-service health attestation for organizations needing to pre-screen team members for potentially infectious or… [Read more]
CA School District Employee Arraigned for WC Fraud After COVID-19 Diagnosis
Los Angeles, CA – Stephanie Medrano of West Covina was recently arraigned on multiple counts of grand theft and insurance fraud after allegedly making misrepresentations following a COVID-19 diagnosis in an attempt to collect over $33,000 in undeserved workers’ compensation insurance benefits. The California Department of Insurance launched an investigation after receiving a claim of… [Read more]
Coventry Releases New White Paper on Mental Health Challenges in Workers’ Comp
Downers Grove, IL – Coventry recently announced the release of a new whitepaper entitled “To Best Treat a Worker’s Injury, Look for a Broken Spirit, Not Just a Broken Bone,” which explores identifying injured workers who need mental health intervention and building clinically sound treatment plans. When someone gets hurt on the job, the workers’… [Read more]
ASSP Supports New OSHA Guidance on COVID-19
Park Ridge, IL – The American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) recently voiced its support for action by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to strengthen workplace guidance on COVID-19 to help keep workers safe from exposure. ASSP was also part of a stakeholder briefing about the new guidance. The DOL announced that the Occupational… [Read more]