Bob’s now traditional holiday message, originally published 12/23/2011. It has been updated to reflect the current calendar: As I have stated here before, and as people who know me will attest, I am NOT a person who subscribes easily to the notion of political correctness. So it is with no great simplicity that I attempt…
With Legislative Clean Up Complete, Michigan May Be My Next Vaca Getaway
The Michigan State Legislature has been busy this year doing something very unusual. At the request of Governor Rick Snyder, they have actually been working to take laws off the books. That like never happens, dude. Legislators almost always add on or revise, but never, ever remove. In this case it was an effort to…
Wilson and Walls to Take One for the Team at Las Vegas Consumer Electronics Show
What can I say? Some of us in the workers' compensation industry are just “givers”. We commit to the greater good. We sacrifice. We forgo basic comfort and safety for the greater benefit of the collective. There is no need to thank us. It is just what we do. Such will be the case this…
Buffer Bamboozle Botched By Blatant Big Bozo Buffoonery
If only these boobs had been from Butte; the headline for this piece would be perfect. Alas, they were not boobs from Butte, but rather miscreants from Missoula. No worries, they still give us much to ponder. A Montana jury last week found a former janitor guilty of workers’ compensation fraud for faking a workplace…
Neither Snow Nor Rain Nor Heat Nor Gloom of Night; Just Money Highlights Injured Worker Responsibility
It could be called a very expensive lesson, even though the retail value was just 92 cents. And while it is an unfortunate lesson to learn, it does accentuate one part of the claims management process that we do not often discuss. The lesson delivered by this postal service experience is reason to remind all…
Sometimes The Things You Don't See Impress You The Most
My wife and I volunteered again this year for Wreaths Across America, which was held Saturday at national cemeteries all across the country. This year over 700,000 wreaths were laid at the headstones of veterans who served this nation with honor. Many of them made the ultimate sacrifice on our behalf. Here in Sarasota, at…
When Underwear Theft Leads To On The Job Injury
Workplace injuries can occur at the most unusual times, as well as in the most unexpected ways. This was evident in Vermont last week during what can only be described as a daring daylight underwear heist. A New York woman was arrested in Rutland, VT after she allegedly bit an employee of a TJ Maxx…
Social Media: SAFE & Uncensored – Plotkin, Paduda, Wilson Video Now Available
Recently at the National Workers' Compensation and Disability Conference in Las Vegas I had the opportunity to participate in an after hours reception that was hopefully entertaining and informative. The exclusive event, sponsored by ISG, featured John Plotkin, Joe Paduda and me discussing the impact of social media on the workplace. The panel was moderated…
All That Was Missing Was the D-Bag Award
Overall it was a great event. David Depaolo and his crew at workcompcentral.com held a strong event based on an outstanding idea; recognizing those people within workers’ compensation who reach beyond the expected to achieve excellent results. The Comp Laude Gala, held Saturday night in Burbank, CA, recognized professionals, service providers and injured workers, all…
Kids’ Chance, Welcome to Florida
A couple weeks ago I wrote about the upcoming Founders Board meeting for Kids' Chance of Florida. Kids' Chance is an organization that provides scholarships and educational assistance for children of people catastrophically or fatally injured on the job. Started by Attorney Bob Clyatt of Valdosta, Georgia in 1988, the organization has expanded to over…