Many jobs are difficult, but some are clearly more challenging than others. Take the recent story of a drug dealer released from jail only to return within a few hours of his release. It seems the man, released from a Philadelphia jail about 6:15PM, hadn’t even made it out of the parking lot when he beat…
Good for Paradigm, Good for Injured Workers, Good for Kids' Chance
I had a chance some time back to speak at length with John Watts, CEO of Paradigm Outcomes, about the growth his company was undergoing as well as some of the changes we are seeing in the workers’ compensation sector. Paradigm, founded in 1991, is the nation’s leading provider of catastrophic and complex care management.…
Workplace Incidents in the Sky
There were a couple back to back stories this week that were not just unusual in nature; they were great examples that not all workplace activity in the air occurs inside an airplane. In one story, a skydiving instructor was found to have committed suicide by separating himself mid-dive from his student and plummeting to his…
The Immaculate Conversion of an Independent Contractor
To paraphrase an old saying, “What goes up must be covered when it falls down.” This would, apparently, be very true in the world of shifting sands that surrounds today’s independent contractor. At least a story shared recently at the SAWCA All Committee Conference would indicate that was the case. A speaker at the conference,…
Happy Thanksgiving – What I'm Thankful For
Just a quick note to wish you and your family a very happy and safe Thanksgiving. Our offices will be closed mid-afternoon Wednesday through Monday. No newsletter will be sent during that time. I thought today I would tap out a quick list of the things I am thankful for at this holiday juncture: I…
Court Orders Pilot Reinstatement Despite His Fear of Flying
A judge in England recently ruled that an airline pilot was unfairly terminated from his job after he developed a fear of flying. The former pilot for Flybe Airlines won his unfair dismissal claim against the carrier after he was fired following several failed attempts to address his condition. He had been employed by the airline for seven…
A Winter Chill? Social Security Admin Requests State Claim Data
During a panel discussion last week at the SAWCA All Committee Conference in Colorado Springs, Georgia State Workers’ Compensation Board Chairman Frank McKay told the room that his agency had just received a request from the Social Security Administration. They are asking for the states claim data so that they may cross index it with…
The Faces of Kids' Chance – Friday Edition
A Note from Bob: Welcome to Kids’ Chance Awareness Week! This week, all across America, Kids’ Chance chapters and their supporters are engaged in activities that will raise awareness of this great cause. However, it is one thing to hear about Kids’ Chance; it is quite another to meet just a few of the people…
The Faces of Kids' Chance – Thursday Edition
A Note from Bob: Welcome to Kids’ Chance Awareness Week! This week, all across America, Kids’ Chance chapters and their supporters are engaged in activities that will raise awareness of this great cause. However, it is one thing to hear about Kids’ Chance; it is quite another to meet just a few of the people…
The Faces of Kids' Chance – Wednesday Edition
A Note from Bob: Welcome to Kids’ Chance Awareness Week! This week, all across America, Kids’ Chance chapters and their supporters are engaged in activities that will raise awareness of this great cause. However, it is one thing to hear about Kids’ Chance; it is quite another to meet just a few of the people…