Belmar, NJ – The National Council of Insurance Legislators (NCOIL) concluded a successful 2023 Annual National Meeting from November 15th – 18th in Columbus, OH. In what was the last of the organization’s three National Meetings in 2023, there were 347 participants consisting of 52 legislators from 25 states, 7 first-time legislators, 6 Insurance Commissioners… [Read more]
Industry News
FL Man Gets 30 Months In Federal Prison for Tax Fraud, Evading Workers’ Comp Premiums
Orlando, FL – U.S. District Judge Wendy W. Berger recently sentenced Wendel Algarin to 30 months in federal prison for conspiring to defraud the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Algarin had pleaded guilty on August 15, 2023. According to court documents, between 2012 and 2019, Algarin operated a scheme to assist various subcontractors in the evasion… [Read more]
Safety National Webinar: The Hazards and Human Factors of Slips, Trips, and Falls
St. Louis, MO – Safety National recently announced a new complimentary webinar, noting that slips, trips, and falls are the leading cause of workers’ compensation claims, while also accounting for one of the top causes of liability losses for businesses. Whether it’s an icy walkway, inadequate lighting, or rushing to get the job done, these… [Read more]
ASSP Announces Updated Safety Standard for Communication Structures
Park Ridge, IL – The American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) has published a revision to a voluntary national consensus safety standard that involves communication structures, which can present many risks for workers across the country. The updated ANSI/ASSP A10.48 standard will be effective on Jan. 1, covering the latest safety practices and training recommendations… [Read more]
FL Man Gets Federal Prison for Role in Construction-Related Wire Fraud Conspiracy
Tampa, FL – U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday recently sentenced Ramon Paz to 33 months in federal prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The court also entered an order of forfeiture in the amount of $500,731, the proceeds of the wire-fraud conspiracy. Paz had pleaded guilty on February 8, 2023. According to court… [Read more]
WCRI: Mental Health Comorbidities Related to Poorer Functional Outcomes than Physical in Low Back Pain
Cambridge, MA – A new Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) study recently found that mental health comorbidities (anxiety, depression, sleep dysfunction) had a stronger association with smaller functional recoveries than physical health comorbidities (diabetes, hypertension, obesity). The study is based on a large sample of 68,850 workers who were injured on the job and received… [Read more]
CWCI Notes No Change in CA Workers’ Comp Weekly TD Rates For 2024
Oakland, CA – The U.S. Department of Labor recently issued new data showing California’s State Average Weekly Wage (SAWW) edged down 0.48 percent from $1,650 to $1,642 in the 12 months ending March 31, 2023. As a result, the California Workers’ Compensation Institute (CWCI) notes there will be no change in California’s minimum and maximum… [Read more]
Ohio BWC Now Accepting Proposals for Research Program Grants
Columbus, OH – The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation recently announced that applications are open for the Ohio Occupational Safety and Health Research Program. The program emphasizes maximizing the impact of occupational safety and health research on the overall safety, health, productivity, and competitiveness of Ohio’s workforce. This is an open competition for researchers in… [Read more]
FL Pharmacy Agrees to Pay $800,000 to Resolve Claims of False Billing
Tampa, FL – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg recently announced that 4 Corners Pharmacy, located in Spring Hill, Florida, has agreed to pay $800,000 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by knowingly billing the U.S. Department of Labor for a compound supplement that was either not ordered by a licensed… [Read more]
WCRI: Medical Payments in Texas Stable from 2016 to 2021, Masking Offsetting Trends
Cambridge, MA – A new study from the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) found that medical payments for the treatment of workers injured on the job in Texas changed little between 2016 and 2021. “The stability we see in medical payments in Texas over the study period masked offsetting changes, including a decline in utilization… [Read more]