Let's face it. It sucks being injured. And it sucks being on workers' comp. Your income stops, or may be greatly reduced. You are clueless as to what comes next. You're assigned an “adjuster” who works for a company you probably never heard of, and who may or may not return your calls. You see…
Post Wisconsin Public Sector Union Power – To the Victor Belongs the Spoiled Food
As evidence that public sector unions still carry significant clout after last week's drubbing in the recall election of Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, union school cafeteria workers in the Sharpsville Pennsylvania School District won a significant victory this week, gaining the right to eat all of the expired and outdated food they wish, and they…
I’m Sorry, Questions About Unconscious Urine Collection Exist in My Mind
You know there is going to be a problem when I feel compelled to apologize for a post directly in the title of it. It is a touchy subject, as someone died as a result of the accident I discuss. I do not take that death lightly. Still, I have questions about the allegations surrounding…
A Simple Boy From Durango Surrounded By Stupidity
I should note in regards to the title of this rant, I am not really surrounded by stupidity. I work with exceptional people, and we have some absolutely terrific customers. Many, many people I deal with in the industry are first rate professionals, and I am privileged to know them. If you are aware enough…
More Reasons Not to Let the IT Guy Mow Your Lawn
A strange case was just decided in the great state of Oklahoma. It was at least strange to me. But then, I suppose many things are strange to me. A computer programmer who had a heart attack while performing lawn maintenance for his employer has been awarded medical and temporary total benefits by the Oklahoma…
Thinking Outside the Box by Looking For That Negative Drug Test Result
I am currently in New Orleans for the National Workers’ Compensation Defense Network’s summer seminar. Today, during a session discussing a “think outside the box” strategy, Attorney and NWCDN member Will Ross offered up a few salient ideas, including this provocative thought: In an adversarial claim where a claimant is being prescribed narcotics as part…
Welcome John D'Alusio to the Workers' Comp Blogwire
I am once again privileged to announce a great new contributor to the Workers’ Comp Blogwire on WorkersCompensation.com. John D'Alusio has over 30 years experience in P/C insurance with executive management positions in administration, field operations, and claim technical areas. In his career, John has worked in claims leadership positions at Liberty Mutual Insurance Company,…
Trash Talking With My Fellow Bloggers at the National Workers' Comp Conference
The agenda for the 21st Annual National Workers’ Compensation and Disability Conference & Expo has been released, and I am pleased to say I managed to worm my way onto it once again. I will be appearing in a Thursday afternoon session featuring the industry’s best known bloggers entitled “Front and Center: Bloggers Speak Out…
A Request for Help: Your Opinion Needed on Critical Utilization Management Survey
Health Strategy Associates is conducting a very important survey on utilization management/utilization review, and we have been asked to invite our readers to provide their valuable input. Please take a few moments of your time to help everyone better understand the part that UM/UR currently plays in the industry. It is exercises such as this that…
Judge’s Decision on 3rd Party Texting Saves Risk Managers from Sleepless Nights – For Now
Picture this scenario: Your employee sends a text message to a customer. The customer happens to be driving when they get that message. While reading that message, they have an accident and injure someone. Could your company be liable for causing the accident? A case tested that theory in New Jersey this month, but the…