When it comes to conference Tchotchke, the International Association of Industrial Accident Boards and Commissions (IAIABC) has ratcheted up the standards this week at their 2014 Spring Forum in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Regular conference attendees will be very familiar with the “conference bag”; that item you get at check in containing a couple dead trees…
American Exceptionalism, Naked Cheesemakers and Medical Tourism in Workers' Comp: It ain't all Gouda
Last week I wrote an article outlining my opinion on Medical Tourism within workers’ compensation, and why I believed it would never really work for our industry. I had intended to write that as a “one off”; to speak my piece and move on, not really planning to address it again. However, follow up comments…
NY WCB: Turns Out Tina Fey Was A-OK
When there has been a mistake, people need to admit it. When some of us pounce on that mistake and gleefully whale away on it, we need to admit that, too. I wrote earlier this week about actress Tina Fey being charged a $79,000 fine for failing to carry required workers' compensation insurance. I had…
When it Comes to Workplace Safety, Alberta Thinks it has the Ticket
An article that ran in yesterdays CompNewsNetwork demonstrates a stark difference between workers’ compensation in a regulated yet competitive environment, versus a monopolistic one where the government essentially calls all the shots. It was a story about the training of Alberta, Canada's first Occupational Health and Safety Peace Officers. Don’t get too excited. “Peace Officer”…
Oh Fey, Can You See, Why the Comp Board Doth Cite?
While portraying Sarah Palin on Saturday Night Live she might have been able to see Russia from her house, but the actions of the New York Workers’ Compensation Board have indicated when it comes to protecting her employees, actress and comedian Tina Fey might not be able to see the forest for the trees. According…
Missouri Teachers Apparently Object to Being Shot on the Job
I can't say that I blame them, actually. Missouri legislators have mandated that teachers and students in that states public schools undergo “Active Shooter” drills, presumably to familiarize them with the concept of being shot. I suppose they call it the “Show Me State” for a reason. Teachers in St. Francois County, Missouri, have now…
Attorneys, Technology, Ethical Obligations and Being Burned by Social Media
Having attended numerous conference sessions on Social Media, in addition to presenting a few as well, much of the content at the ABA Mid Winter Workers' Compensation Conference Social Media session in Chicago last week was not a surprise to me. Still this session, heavily geared to attorneys in the audience, contained some information I…
Writing for Writings Sake While Bound for Chicago
I am headed to Chicago this morning to attend the American Bar Association Mid Winter Workers’ Compensation Conference at the Conrad Hilton Hotel. It appears this year that the words “Chicago” and “Mid Winter” should be taken quite seriously. It apparently snowed half a foot there yesterday and is a whopping 16 degrees this morning.…
The Unassuming Room Where Miracles Occur
There is an unassuming little room here in Florida that could teach us something in the workers' compensation industry. While the purpose of the room has nothing to do with workers' comp, it offers vital lessons in simplicity to those of us mired in the complex legislative myriad of process and procedure that drives our…
Alabama’s Potty Politician Gives Me an Idea….
A very interesting congressional campaign is brewing in the heart of Dixie. Democrat Erick Wright is currently challenging incumbent Rep. Martha Roby, R-Montgomery, in Alabama's 2nd Congressional District. Wright portrays himself as an activist, neighbor, friend, consultant and businessman. Apparently Wright is social media savvy, and has a propensity for publishing videos of himself on…