A man serving 15 years in prison for robbery is suing the same Delaware pizza place that he tried to rob. Nigel Sykes, 23, has filed a lawsuit against Seasons Pizza of Wilmington, Delaware, as well as the police officers who arrested him four years ago, claiming he was assaulted and injured during the robbery.…
California Cost Containment Strategy #23 – Kill All the Claimants (Alternate Title – Dead Men Abuse No Drugs)
The Medical Board of California has established a Prescribing Task Force dedicated to producing revised Pain Management Guidelines, and their initial work has been released for public comment prior to final adoption. I am not sure what they hoped to accomplish, but it appears to be a damn fine effort at controlling workers' compensation costs.…
Governor Kitzhaber, When Exactly is a Good a Time to Get Involved at SAIF?
Dear Governor Kitzhaber, Sorry to bother you again. I had the opportunity Friday evening to watch the debate you participated in with your opponent, Dennis Richardson, earlier that day. I had a few observations, and some follow up questions for you. First, I was greatly relieved to learn that you actually are aware of SAIF,…
Chopping Workers' Comp Head Off at CCWC
The national bloggers panel at the California Coalition of Workers’ Compensation Annual Conference, held in Anaheim, CA on Wednesday, appears to have been a success. At least no one threw anything at us, and that is the stringent criteria I use to classify an appearance as a smashing success. I and my fellow panelists, David…
MSA Insurance is Coming to Workers' Comp
I had an interesting discussion yesterday with a person who is in the know regarding the MSA industry, and they told me of a pretty unique concept about to be launched. I have it on good authority that one of the larger MSP Compliance firms will be rolling out an available insurance component for MSA’s…
Oregon Gubernatorial Debate is Opportunity for SAIF Employees
The first Oregon gubernatorial debate is being held in Salem this Friday, the 18th of July. It will not be open to the public, but it will be broadcast throughout the state. No one can say for sure, but this may be an excellent opportunity for SAIF employees unhappy with the termination of CEO John…
California Bloggin' – Planes, Trains and Automobiles
I am on a plane to Orange County this morning, headed to the California Coalition on Workers’ Compensation (CCWC) Annual Conference in Anaheim, CA. I am scheduled to appear on a bloggers panel Wednesday with some of my usual cohorts in crime. We’re putting the band back together. Mark Walls will once again moderate this…
North Carolina, Workers' Compensation Is Not An Immigration Control Device
Our immigration policy in this nation is a complete disaster. It wasn't always so. There was a time in the United States when we welcomed those wanting to build a better life for themselves and their family. However, we controlled that process. There were legal mechanisms allowing their entrance. We monitored the gates, screening for…
SAIF Board Can Cancel But It Can't Hide
The SAIF Board has cancelled their meet in July,To all their employees it’s a stick in the eye.They are probably hoping until September nigh,That the whole Plotkin scandal will just up and die. There is nothing to talk about – nothing to see,Just a gaggle of people angry at thee,The Board dare not meet less…
Of Heroes and Evil Men: A SAIF Scandal Comparison and a Letter From John Plotkin
This really isn’t a comparison, because truth be told, there is no accurate comparison possible between the two sides of this story. I could have just as easily called this article “Of Heroes and Incompetent Men”, or even “Of Heroes and Incompetently Evil Men”. The preponderance of evidence related to the termination of former SAIF…