Editors Note: We originally posted this tribute in the days following the 9/11 attack in 2001, and it was viewed here by tens of thousands of people. We have re-posted it for every 9/11 anniversary to honor those who perished, and to reaffirm our commitment to “never forget”. Bob’s story below was originally published…
Possible Rocklin Rejection As Big Day Arrives for SAIF Employees
Today, September 10, 2014, is a big day for SAIF employees angered by the termination of John Plotkin 4 months ago. The SAIF Board of Directors meets today in Salem, at the Parkway Building at 10AM. It is the first time they have done so since Plotkin was summarily terminated in what appears to have…
The Audacity of Dope
For those of you aware of my particular political proclivities, you may be assuming this is a diatribe about current leadership issues within our nation. While my slightly to the right of Attila the Hun fiscal conservatism makes that likely, you would in this case be mistaken. Nor is this a follow up to my…
Underwriting Stupidity
It is certainly a fact that some workplace injuries are unavoidable in that they are caused by unexpected mechanical or equipment failures, technical issues or some other event out of the control of the misfortunate humans involved. But it is also just as certain a fact that many workplace injuries covered by the workers’ compensation…
Do SAIF Board Selections Portend a New Direction For the Embattled Insurer?
On August 25th Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber announced three new appointments to the Board of Directors for SAIF Corporation, the state owned workers' compensation insurance company. This action follows a tumultuous summer for the agency that saw popular CEO John Plotkin terminated after just three short months on the job. Now, information has come forth…
Did Fame Ruin My Blind and Toothless Cat?
David Depaolo and I share some odd coincidences in our lives. Both of us started an online information service for the workers' compensation industry in 1999. Both of us have mothers who had or continue to battle dementia. Both of us had aging fathers who were at one time the caregivers for our ailing mothers.…
Welcome to the Party Pal: Oregon Gov Announces SAIF Board Nominations/Replacements
In a letter addressed to SAIF employees dated today, August 25th, Oregon Governor John “I Seee Nuthhink” Kitzhaber has announced the appointment of 3 brand spanking new Board members for the embattled state insurer. If approved by the states Senate, they will replace outgoing Board Chair Cathy Travis and Vice Chair Robb Van Cleave. Current…
Compensable or Not, Ice Bucket Challenge Injuries Are Shocking
Four Kentucky firefighters who were participating in an ALS “Ice Bucket Challenge” by dumping water on college students were injured when their fire truck’s ladder got too close to a power line. The accident happened on Thursday the 21st, after the college students had already passed under the ladder. No students were hurt. The power…
You Can't Fix Stupid; But You Can Kick It In The Face
Ok, it is Friday; after two back to back conferences I took ill Wednesday, and although I have slogged in to work the past couple days, I am comped and conferenced out. Today's missive has nothing to do with workers' compensation. Sorry. A California woman visiting the Madison, Wisconsin zoo Saturday demonstrated that the Darwin…
SAIF Hypocrisy is Clearer in Color
This is just a quick update to yesterday's post, where we published a grainy black and white scan of a photo showing the faux branding of a SAIF employee by then CEO Brenda Rocklin, and compared it to the treatment of her successor, John Plotkin. That post had only been online a couple hours when…