Rolling Meadows, IL – Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. recently announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Natick, Massachusetts-based Eastern Insurance Group, LLC (Eastern Insurance), a subsidiary of Eastern Bank. The transaction is subject to regulatory approval and is expected to close during the fourth quarter of 2023. Eastern Insurance offers comprehensive commercial… [Read more]
Workers' Compensation
TN BWC Announces New Recognition for Exemplary Return-To-Work Programs
Nashville, TN – The Tennessee Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) is launching the REWARD Honor Roll, a new employer-recognition program highlighting businesses whose return-to-work programs exemplify the REWARD Program’s principles. Honorees will be commended as an example that other Tennessee employers should emulate. “I believe Honor Roll Employers demonstrate Tennessee’s best when it comes to… [Read more]
HEMIC Deploys Guidewire Cloud for Digital Business Growth
San Mateo, CA – Hawaii Employers’ Mutual Insurance Company, Inc. (HEMIC) and Guidewire (NYSE: GWRE) announced that HEMIC has successfully migrated Guidewire InsuranceSuite to Guidewire Cloud to power its core business, simplify IT operations, adapt quickly to changing marketing demands, and deliver value to agents and customers. A Guidewire self-managed customer since 2016, the company… [Read more]
US DOL Awards MA $1M Opioid Crisis Grant for Jobs, Training in Berkshire County
Washington, DC – With opioid abuse responsible for about four deaths each day in Massachusetts, the commonwealth cites the epidemic as its greatest public health threat. To help address the crisis, the U.S. Department of Labor recently announced the award of more than $1 million in funding for the Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and… [Read more]
NSC Launches New Program to Combat Soaring Workplace Overdose Deaths
ashington, DC – Overdoses are the leading cause of unintentional death in the United States and can happen anywhere anytime, workplaces included. Deaths on the job from drug overdoses have increased 536% since 2011. To combat this alarming rise from the workplace to anyplace, the National Safety Council is launching a new workplace safety program,… [Read more]
MSF Declares $35 Million Dividend
Helena, MT – Montana State Fund (MSF) recently announced a $35M dividend declaration to more than 24,000 policyholders across Montana. MSF is the state’s not-for-profit and leading workers’ compensation insurance company. It insures approximately 24,000 employers and their workers in approximately 400 industries from every Montana county. “This is welcome news for hardworking Montanans and… [Read more]
Origami Risk Announces Senior-Level Appointments in Core Solutions Division
Chicago, IL – Origami Risk recently announced senior-level appointments in its Core Solutions division, naming Chris Bennett as chief strategy officer and Mike Kaplan as president. The appointments position the division to sustain its accelerated growth in serving insurers, managing general agents (MGAs), program administrators, third party claims administrators (TPAs), risk pools, and brokers. “As… [Read more]
Zurich North America Names Japhet Boutin Head of Technical Claims
Schaumburg, IL – Zurich North America recently announced Japhet Boutin has been appointed SVP, Head of Technical Claims for Zurich North America, effective September 15. Boutin will succeed John Shane, who has accepted a position with the Zurich Group as Global Head of Casualty Claims. Boutin will play a key role in managing and overseeing… [Read more]
WCRI Webinar Examines Long COVID in the Workers’ Comp System
Cambridge, MA – The Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) recently announced it will hold a 30-min. webinar on its study Long COVID in the Workers’ Compensation System in 2020 and 2021 on Tues., Oct. 3, 2023, at 2:00 pm ET. Author Dr. Bogdan Savych will share findings from the study and take audience questions. “The… [Read more]
WA L&I Proposes 4.9 Percent Increase in Workers’ Comp Rates for 2024
Tumwater, WA – The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) recently announced that it is proposing a 4.9 percent increase in the average hourly rate employers and workers will pay for workers’ compensation insurance next year. If adopted, the increase would mean employers and workers on average would jointly pay an additional $65… [Read more]