Imagine dropping your vehicle off with a reputable car dealer for an oil change, and then find yourself getting sued for negligence when that vehicle is involved in an accident. As covered on this site and elsewhere, that is exactly what is happening in Michigan right now. The plaintiff’s lawyers are claiming the car owner was negligent…
Celebrating Our 25th – The Covid Anniversary
Last year many of you will recall that I reported on the customary gift-giving ritual my wife and I have regarding our anniversary. We normally use the occasion to buy something together for the house. Last year was a bit different. We both bought individual items, albeit still items “for the house.” She bought me…
Three Actuaries and a Data Scientist Walk into a Conference…
I met them at the Tuesday sunset reception held for attendees of NCCI’s Annual Insights Symposium. The Orlando weather was picture perfect for the outdoor dinner, perfectly fitting the evening theme, which was “Florida Nights.” A friend, a board member for a peachy southern state regulatory agency who we will call Manny (people who associate…
Maybe “The Word” Could Have Been “Grumpy”
NCCI just wrapped up their annual AIS Conference in Orlando Wednesday, and it is a pleasure to report that, after two years of virtual existence, they have not lost their touch for presenting a well-choreographed and impeccably timed event. In fact, NCCI AIS, which is the technical equivalent of Disneyland for workers’ compensation conferences, didn’t…
And The Presumption Hits Keep Coming – NY Considers Adding Lyme Disease to Workers’ Comp
When it comes to automatic presumptions, it has been a scary few years for employers and workers’ compensation insurers. A plethora of new laws mostly regarding first responders have been passed in recent years extending presumptions, rebuttable and otherwise, for a plethora of illnesses and ailments purportedly related to their job. The problem is, in…
Workers’ Comp and The Five(ish) Stages of Grief
The Five Stages of Grief are based on a theory developed by psychiatrist Elisabeth Kübler-Ross that suggests people go through five distinct stages of grief after the loss of a loved one. The five stages are denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and eventually, acceptance. While the theory was based around the loss of someone close to you, it…
Kids’ Chance, The Minister, and Those Things That Are Left Undone
Bob Clyatt, the man who started Kids’ Chance in Valdosta, GA back in 1988, can tell a compelling story. He told the audience at last week’s National Kids’ Chance Conference in Charlotte about the challenges they faced starting the organization and the fact that it almost didn’t happen at all. And his story was a…
Rumors of My Death Have Been Greatly Exaggerated
Many readers will by now know that last week we announced the planned departure from my current position here at WorkersCompensation.com. The outpouring of comments and support has been overwhelming. Many people have wished me well via text, email, telephone, LinkedIn, and Facebook. I was traveling last week (and this one as well, actually) and…