It was recently reported that a British coroner determined that the death of a young Bank of America Merrill Lynch intern was caused by fatigue from extreme working conditions. 21-year-old Moritz Erhardt was found in the shower of his London flat in August. He died of an epileptic seizure that may have been triggered by…
As a Conference Attendee, Behavior Matters
Several weeks ago we ran an article discussing how exhibitors at conferences could be more effective in their efforts. A recent discussion about behavior at workers compensation conferences has lead me to discuss how to be a better attendee at these events. A friend of mine was with a group of women at an afterhour's…
Perhaps Amazon.com Should Sell Health Insurance
I watched an amazing piece on 60 Minutes last night, covering the continued growth and future plans of online retailing behemoth, Amazon.com. Included in the program was the revelation that Amazon is developing the ability to deliver product within ½ an hour of your ordering it using robotic drone aircraft. And here I was impressed…
My Holiday Advice for Santa: Don't Grope the Elves
Ah, the holidays! You know they are in full swing when the first store security guards are trampled on Thanksgiving and our first Santa of the year has been arrested for elf groping. That is earlier than usual, but after all, there are 6 less groping days till Christmas this year. A 62 year…
Innovation Through Communication
Last week I participated in a “National Bloggers Panel” at the National Workers’ Compensation and Disability Conference in Las Vegas. While the discussion was spirited and covered a number of issues, there was a moment of clarity provided for me by my friend, competitor and semi-professional SpongeBob impressionist Dave Depaolo. We were talking about innovation…
Leaving Las Vegas: 2013 Rumination's and Confessions from the National Conference
Another National Workers’ Compensation and Disability Conference is behind us, and the industry once again takes a bottle of aspirin, shaves its tongue, packs up in Las Vegas and heads home to deploy all the new information it learned. But first it will take a long Thanksgiving weekend. It will get around to deploying its…
Iowa SC Decision Affirming Benefits Highlights Complexity of Undocumented Worker Issue
A decision by the Iowa Supreme Court issued last Friday, affirming the award of healing benefits to illegal aliens (Yes, I still use that politically incorrect term), highlights the many issues we face on this particular topic. In the case Jimenez vs. Staff Management, the court upheld a lower courts decision that benefits should be…
The Most Important Passenger On the Plane
I’ve said it before; we are an industry based in injury, pain and death. People in workers’ compensation are immersed in those elements on a daily basis. Still, at a time when we come full face with a story of personal sacrifice and honor, it all seems to pale in comparison. My flight to Las…
As We Gather in Las Vegas
It must be fall. In many parts of the country the leaves have turned, the air is brisk, and the workers’ compensation industry packs it’s bags and heads to Las Vegas. This week marks the 22nd Annual National Workers’ Compensation and Disability Conference, being held at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. It is an annual…
On the Job @SouthwestAir, Words Matter
I've spoken a great deal on changing the style and depth of communication within the workers' compensation industry. Better communication will yield better results for the employers and injured workers that we serve. We had a terrific example this week, showing what we say and how we say it – even by accident – can…