Accidents can happen in the blink of an eye, as can other mistakes in the workplace. A recent minor mishap reminded me that when an error or accident occurs, the best thing you can do is accept the reality and roll with it as best you can. Sometimes, literally. It is a maneuver based on…
The Injured Worker as a Piggy Bank
We have written before about the misaligned incentives often found in workers’ compensation. I have referred to it as “treating injured workers for fun and profit,” reflecting situations where actions and processes are applied that may not be in the best interest of the worker, but financially benefit the people who are supposed to be helping them.…
Remote Monitoring System for Physical Therapy Is an Absolute Plus
Late last year, after my second knee replacement surgery, I wrote about my early experienceswith the Plethy Recupe© system. Plethy Recupe provides “easy to follow personalized at-home care programs for all musculoskeletal conditions with recovery metrics.” Recupe is for all musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions both non-surgical and surgical. At the time of that writing, I had only used…
When Failed Spine Surgery Leads To Murder
There was another tragic mass shooting this week in Oklahoma. As mass casualty events go, however, this one was different than many. Most of the mass shootings that have occurred in recent months have been essentially random attacks with little intent other than the illogical desire for great destruction. This one in Tulsa, on the…
Creating Artificial Stupidity Out Of Artificial Intelligence
It was, in my opinion, one of the best sessions at this year’s Annual Insights Symposium produced by NCCI last month. “Human Factors – Expanding the Science of Predictive Analytics and Artificial Intelligence (AI),” was presented by James Guszcza, Research Affiliate with the Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University. Guszcza…
Michigan Oil Change Lawsuit is Slick Attempt at Elusive Remedy
Imagine dropping your vehicle off with a reputable car dealer for an oil change, and then find yourself getting sued for negligence when that vehicle is involved in an accident. As covered on this site and elsewhere, that is exactly what is happening in Michigan right now. The plaintiff’s lawyers are claiming the car owner was negligent…
Celebrating Our 25th – The Covid Anniversary
Last year many of you will recall that I reported on the customary gift-giving ritual my wife and I have regarding our anniversary. We normally use the occasion to buy something together for the house. Last year was a bit different. We both bought individual items, albeit still items “for the house.” She bought me…
Three Actuaries and a Data Scientist Walk into a Conference…
I met them at the Tuesday sunset reception held for attendees of NCCI’s Annual Insights Symposium. The Orlando weather was picture perfect for the outdoor dinner, perfectly fitting the evening theme, which was “Florida Nights.” A friend, a board member for a peachy southern state regulatory agency who we will call Manny (people who associate…
Maybe “The Word” Could Have Been “Grumpy”
NCCI just wrapped up their annual AIS Conference in Orlando Wednesday, and it is a pleasure to report that, after two years of virtual existence, they have not lost their touch for presenting a well-choreographed and impeccably timed event. In fact, NCCI AIS, which is the technical equivalent of Disneyland for workers’ compensation conferences, didn’t…
And The Presumption Hits Keep Coming – NY Considers Adding Lyme Disease to Workers’ Comp
When it comes to automatic presumptions, it has been a scary few years for employers and workers’ compensation insurers. A plethora of new laws mostly regarding first responders have been passed in recent years extending presumptions, rebuttable and otherwise, for a plethora of illnesses and ailments purportedly related to their job. The problem is, in…