In what is apparently the largest settlement ever for the Oregon Department of Justice and SAIF Corporation, the SAIF Board of Directors today decided in a 4-0 vote to settle the wrongful termination lawsuit of John Plotkin. The settlement amount of $1.7 million will cover Plotkin’s lost wages and attorney’s fees. The decision was made…
SAIF Board to Meet Today Regarding Plotkin Decision
In a little under 5 hours from this writing, at 12:30PM Pacific time, the SAIF Corporation Board of Directors will meet to determine their course of action regarding last week’s bombshell court decision that reinstated John Plotkin as CEO of that company. Last Tuesday Marion County Circuit Court Judge Claudia Burton ruled that the board…
A Glimmer of Hope Found Through Stupid College Policy
I ended last week with a rant against political correctness run amok, in a story about idiots offended by a restaurant named Moby Dick’s Fish and Chips. They thought the word “Dick” was offensive. While I don’t often follow one anti-PC rant directly with another, it appears this week that is what I am about…
Don’t Be a Moby Dick
A story in Courthouse News caught my eye recently, as it highlighted the inane levels of political correctness we now see on a daily basis. It tells of a lawsuit filed against a Vancouver, BC Building Council because they blocked a restaurant chain from leasing a space in their building. A “Moby Dick’s Fish and…
Oregon Court Voids Plotkin Termination from SAIF Corporation
Today Marion County Circuit Court Judge Claudia Burton did something that no one in Oregon has been able or willing to do for John Plotkin since he was terminated as CEO of SAIF Corporation. She gave him justice. Let me say that again: SHE GAVE HIM JUSTICE. Issuing a summary judgement in the case of…
Stealing Fluffy's Meds
We’ve heard all about how bad the Opioid addiction problem has become here in the United States. As a nation, we consume 99% of the world’s opioid supply, while we represent less than 5% of its total population. Prescription drug sales on the street are rampant. People are dying. Lives are being ruined. Pharmacy stocks…
What is Lost in the Debate Over Workers' Compensation Reform?
While perusing the news early this morning I came across several articles related to reforms pending or proposed in two key states. One such article was discussing potential reforms in a state dominated by a Republican governor and legislature; another was discussing a state with a Republican Governor but a legislature permanently controlled by Democrats.…
Plotkin v. SAIF Lawsuit Heads to Trial This Month
Man, do the wheels of justice turn slowly. After all, it was almost three years ago, in May of 2014, when John Plotkin, the new CEO of SAIF Corporation, Oregon’s state owned workers’ compensation insurer, was terminated after just three months on the job. The debacle that followed is known to many in our industry.…
Bob’s Top Ten Predictions for 2017
2016 was a hectic year here at the Cluttered Desk. That is due in part to the fact I wasn’t behind it much of the time these past 12 months. Travel demands this last year exceeded all before it, and I spent a fairly significant amount of time away from the office. This makes foretelling…
Japanese Insurance Company to Replace Claim Reps with Artificial Intelligence System
A Japanese insurance company is about to thrust the insurance industry into the future, as well as the ongoing debate over how much technology will really alter our industry. I’ve spent a good deal of time this past year discussing the future of workers’ compensation at conference presentations around the nation. Obviously, technology is a…