Judge David Langham wrote an excellent article two weeks ago, entitled “My Workers’ Comp Accident”. It was a description of his one and only personal experience with workers’ comp – at least as an injured worker. He drove a truck through a house (it is a must read). His greater message, however, was that the…
There is a Functional Reason That Ability is in the Name
My visit to Chicago’s Shirley Ryan AbilityLab a couple weeks ago was certainly worth the effort. Worth the effort, that is, if you have any interest in glimpsing the future of acute rehabilitative care. The AbilityLab is the new brand identity for the formerly named Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago; and that new identity fits perfectly…
Social Security Numbers and Workers' Comp Forms – The Ugly
Editor’s Note: An error in our forms survey regarding the State of Wisconsin has been brought to our attention. For the vast majority of their forms, inclusion of the Social Security number is optional. You may read about the correction here. I’ve been writing about my recent experience as a victim of identity theft, and…
If Illinois Runs Their Insurance Company Like They Run Their Prisons….
While I have been critical of short sighted reform efforts in various states around the nation recently, no state is more fascinating to watch than the State of Illinois when it comes to “fixing” workers’ comp. The passage of two bills, HB 2525 and HB 2622, which are currently awaiting the Governor’s signature, represent interesting…
Still Blowin' Like a Champ
I will admit there are some people who think I blow, but I have news for them. They’re right. I not only blow, I evidently blow like a champ, and have been doing so for over a decade. At least that is what my allergist keeps telling me. I was diagnosed with Asthma many years…
Comp Laude® Nominations Will Soon Be Closing
Nominations for the 6th Annual Comp Laude® Awards will close soon, and if you haven’t taken the time to honor top performers in the industry, this is the time to do so. The Annual Comp Laude® Awards are designed to recognize excellence in the workers’ compensation industry by singling out those top performers who made…
Avoid Attorney Fees by Avoiding the Attorneys
There is a scene in an episode of the hit television show, “Big Bang Theory” that I thought of recently. Set at a campsite in the desert, three of the main characters, Raj, Howard and Leonard, are all “severely impaired”, as well as suffering from an intense bought of the munchies, after unknowingly eating a…
Chicago and the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab
I am headed to Chicago this morning to attend an open house at the newly named Shirley Ryan AbilityLab. It was formerly known as the The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) — a specialty, non-profit hospital serving patients with the most severe, complex conditions. In March, RIC officially became known as the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, and it…
Social Security Numbers and States That Are Getting It Right (or Almost Right)
Editors Note: In a rare (or rarely admitted) error, Bob neglected to include the State of Illinois in this article. They actually have the thrid lowest percentage of forms requiring social security numbers in the nation. He has published the correction and his apology here. Additionally, an error in our forms survey regarding the State…
"The Word" is Adapting, and the Future is On the Docket for NCCI
NCCI CEO Bill Donnell delivered the opening address to a packed house at the Annual Issues Symposium in Orlando, FL Thursday. Donnell gave an excellent presentation, speaking about the state of the industry, and, in keeping tradition with the NCCI Annual Event, delivered “The Word”, which this year is “Adapting”. In addition to the word,…