A state audit of Kentucky Employers Mutual Insurance (KEMI), released two weeks ago exposed more than just questionable financial expenditures of the state’s largest workers’ compensation insurance company. It also exposed a potential vulnerability of some “state fund” structures; a non-profit mutual insurance company that is not controlled by the policyholders who allegedly own it. And it…
Weird New Job Positions in the Face of AI
This is really an alteration of the “News of the Weird” reports that occasionally run in this spot. With all of the fear that robots and artificial intelligence will soon be taking all of our jobs, this is a discussion of just a few of the new types of work opportunities that technology or innovative…
In Healthcare, Technology Matters, but People Make the Difference
The buzz in healthcare these days is all about technology. Telehealth, artificial intelligence, micro-devices, 3D printing, innovative implants and more all dominate the conversation around healthcare. But no matter how shiny, glitzy or exciting the technology is, the core strength of healthcare today lies in the people who do the many often thankless jobs that…
Freed from the Bondage of My HOA Board
It was a glorious day. After nine years on the board of directors of my homeowner’s association, five of them as president, I was free. My long neighborhood nightmare was over. I was tempted to call this post, “Free at Last, Free at Last, Thank God Almighty I am Free at Last;” but comparing a…
Diving Right In – A Non-Rescue Rescue Could Test the Boundaries of Compensability
We have to give her an A for effort. This past week a 19-year-old waitress was working on the rooftop bar of a restaurant located on a Daytona Beach, FL pier when she saw a young boy struggling in the water far below. Her response was to do what any red-blooded American girl would do. Scratch that –…
An Update: Flatulent Bully Passes Muster in Court
Several weeks ago we reported on a case where a man was suing his former employer for harassment because he repeatedly passed gas down under. We would should remind you this case was in Australia, and the workplace was “down under,” not the gas passing. Well, now that we think about it – oh, never mind. At…
Call It What It Is – Raid of SAIF Funds Will Be Theft, Pure and Simple
It is a weak link; a chink in the armor if you will, in the concept of state-owned insurance solutions. The money they collect in reserves can be greedily eyed by less than competent politicians as a solution to their government’s financial ineptitude. Multiple state funds across the nation have faced the challenge on more…
Great Balls Afire – Those Silly Firefighters and Their Compensable Pranks
In the “now I’ve heard everything” department, we can bring you this compelling bit of news: A New Jersey Appellate Court has ruled that a firefighter who had his genitals burned by an exploding toilet at the hands of a prankster did so within the course and scope of his employment. We could probably end…
Smiling is the Newest Disability
It might be a stretch to say that smiling is a new disability. However, a study just published shows that employees who work with the public and who “force themselves to smile for customers or hide feelings of annoyance may be susceptible to heavy drinking after hours.” And of course, since heavy drinking may result in some form…
Walking the Workers' Recovery Talk – Are Jurisdictions Listening?
Six years ago, in 2013, I started my campaign to rebrand the workers’ compensation industry. As many people know, I believe it should be called “Workers’ Recovery.” The idea isn’t simply to change the name; the belief has been that the simple adjustment of one word would shift the focus of our industry, reduce litigation, save money…