I’ve learned a couple important lessons at the Wisconsin Workers’ Compensation Forum this week. One, don’t show up at the event wearing a "Cheesehead" out of some misguided attempt at solidarity. Apparently they only wear those things at sporting events, and they view such ingratiating attempts by Florida outsiders with a high degree of suspicion.…
Neither Snow Nor Rain Nor Heat Nor Gloom Of Night, Just Workers' Comp, Will Keep US Postal Workers From Their Appointed Rounds
An article a few days back, about a South Dakota ghost town that had been sold to a church, contained a fact that, in my view, completely sums up the pending implosion of the US Postal Service. The article quoted the only employee of the only remaining business in town. Kathy Jobgen, 50, says, in…
Ending Discrimination against Short Hoes
Occasionally, on a slow day, we like to dig through our library of statutes and regulations to see what cutting edge and innovative ideas are out there in the various jurisdictions. Sometimes we come across something we just did not anticipate. Something that you would think must be from an earlier, less informed era. But…
Spend a Day with NWCDN in Atlanta Next Week
I've posted stories before concerning the National Workers' Compensation Defense Network (NWCDN) and the seminars they produce around the country. Next week I will be in Atlanta at their fall event, and thought it would be worth another mention here. This group does a terrific job at these seminars, and you just can't beat the…
South Carolina Just Plain Wrong On Emailing of Proposed Orders
Here is a question for you. You have a claim that needs to be submitted to your state authority for an order or approval of some sort. Would you take all of the relative claim documents; including stipulations, statement of the case, and evidence of the case, bundle them up nicely with twine, and drop…
Down But Not Out In Illinois: The Ties That Bind, and Apparently Injure, Workers' Comp Arbitrators
We’ve all likely heard the stories regarding the troubled financial condition of the Illinois State Government. We've heard the jokes about the “Governors Suite” at the Illinois State Penitentiary. Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels has compared being next to Illinois to living next door to the Simpson's – “that dysfunctional family down the street”. Now there…
Bob's Top Ten Most Dangerous Jobs in the WORLD
Recently Risk Management Monitor's Emily Holbrook wrote about the ten most dangerous jobs in America, based on information provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In a quick summary, they were: Fishermen Logging workers Airplane pilots and flight engineers Farmers and ranchers Mining machine operators Roofers Sanitation workers Truck drivers and delivery workers Industrial machine…
A Visual Tribute to 9/11 Victims: "We Will Never Forget"
It was a beautiful morning here in Sarasota, FL. I had an early morning breakfast meeting at the Sarasota Quay, at the corner of US 41 and Fruitville Road. President George W. Bush was in town, and his motorcade was scheduled to pass by our location just after our meeting concluded. Having never seen a…
A 65th Wedding Anniversary: Alzheimers Separates What Time Could Not
(This is one of those non-WC posts our disclaimer warns you about) Today is a bittersweet milestone; in that a man and a woman could celebrate a rare event, 65 years of loving, prosperous and successful marriage. However, today there will be no celebration, no family gathering to mark the achievement. Their house, perched atop…
Are Regulators Responsible For Return To Work?
It was a discussion worth having for the Disability Management and Return to Work Committee at the recent International Association of Industrial Accident Boards and Commissions (IAIABC) Annual Conference in Madison, WI. With overwhelming evidence pointing to the benefits of effective return to work programs, just how do we go about getting broader adoption of…