What do Florida Senators Garrett Richter, Nancy Detert, Mike Bennett and I all have in common? We will all be on the same stage March 16th, as I "RoastMaster" the Sertoma Sarasota Celebrity Roast. Senator Bennett, the Florida Senate President Pro Tempore, will be the evenings guest of dishonor. Politically this will be tempting for…
Something is Rotten in the Town of Bismarck: Alleged Record Tampering at the North Dakota WSI
It’s hard to believe, I know. In the pure and pristine land of the People’s Republic of North Dakota (PRND), where deer and antelope play, and nary a negative thought is uttered, allegations of corruption have once again reared their ugly head. Two whistleblowers at the offices of Workforce Safety and Insurance claim that they…
To Serve, Protect and Sue: NH Supremes Say Injured Firefighter Can Sue Homeowner
If your house catches fire in New Hampshire, be sure to clear the ice off your driveway before you call the volunteer fire department. May want to make sure the yard is free of clutter, and tidy up the house while you’re at it. Because the firefighters who save your home may be able to…
Collect Calls from Prison and a News Crew in the Lobby Spell a Bad Day at Ohio BWC
It's the kind of thing that can dampen your day; the local equivalent of hearing those frightening words, “Excuse me Mr. Wilson, 60 Minutes is in the lobby, and they have some photos they would like to ask you some questions about”. It happened a few days ago to the folks at Ohio Bureau of…
Workers’ Comp Fraud 101: Lesson 1 – Turn off Security Cameras Prior to Staging Accident
A Target employee in New Jersey has been arrested for staging what is called an elaborate scheme to fake a workers' compensation claim. Victoria Colon, 28, of Union City, thought of everything. Loosening the shelf that would drop untold amounts of merchandise on top of her head. Pulling a shopping cart with more merchandise over…
Missouri Senate Bill Brings Occupational Diseases Home to Workers’ Comp
In 2005 the state of Missouri did something unusual. It removed Occupational Diseases from the realm of workers' compensation, opting instead to let those cases be handled in traditional civil courts. This week the state Senate has taken firm steps to return these cases to workers' comp, bringing better cost certainty to the businesses in…
Obscene Email Gets Big Booby Prize for Oklahoma Insurance Department
It's not often I have to start out a blog post by warning you that this article contains offensive language. It's even rarer when that offensive language is pulled directly from an email generated from a state Department of Insurance. And rarest yet is the laughter that state generated email produced – at least around…
ABA to Discuss National Trends and Emerging Issues in San Antonio
An American Bar Association's Winter Conference has been scheduled for March 8 – 10, 2012, in San Antonio, Texas. It is being sponsored by the Section of Labor and Employment Law (LEL) and the Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section's Workers' Compensation Law Committee (TIPS). This program, entitled “National Trends and Emerging Issues Affecting Workers'…
When the Bakery Crashes and Burns During Your First Day on Doughnuts
Several years ago my wife and I went through a breakfast phase – a phase where she sometimes wanted a fresh doughnut with her morning coffee. It did not happen every day, but when it did, the job of order fulfillment went to me. She, it turns out, is an "idea person". On the particular…
Go West NFL Man; Stake Your (Workers’ Comp) Claim in California
There are three National Football League teams in the state of California, and at a glance they seem to have a terrible safety record – worst in the league. Over 3,700 NFL players have filed workers' compensation claims in that state. I'm amazed the 49'ers made the playoffs this year. Their injured list must fill…