From Bob's Cluttered Desk

There is an old saying that you should never put lipstick on a pig, as it does not make it beautiful, and it just annoys the pig. However, after this week's unexpected potential setback for Opt Out supporters in Tennessee, me thinks that hog could be headed for a complete makeover. I wouldn't be surprised…

Yesterday afternoon the Tennessee House Consumer Affairs Committee cancelled a hearing related to proposed workers' compensation Opt Out legislation, and took the bill off “notice”. That means it has been removed from the legislative calendar for this year and likely will not come up for a vote. This represents the second failure for SB721 and…

The Florida Supreme Court has announced it will hear arguments in the case Daniel Stahl v. Hialeah Hospital. The Stahl case confronts the elimination of elements of partial disability benefits, and is yet another case challenging the exclusive remedy protections of the Florida workers' compensation system. It looks as though we can honestly say that…

It has been a tough month at our house. I wrote a couple weeks ago about losing Coal, our blind and toothless cat that inspired us with his ability to overcome whatever obstacle came before him. In previous articles about Coal, I mentioned a second cat we had adopted with him, named Big Bang (we…

I have long thought that the workers' compensation industry would be wise to seriously investigate the efficacy and potential benefits of alternative treatment protocols to better improve our medical outcomes. Our industry, being essentially a medical management entity, generally follows the tradition of western medicine in poo-pooing those alternative services, often considered of “eastern” origin.…

“On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” -Luke 22:40 While I firmly believe that people are largely good and honest, I recognize weakness and temptation as elements of the human condition. Former Oklahoma Congressman J.C. Watts used to quote his grandfather as saying, “Character is doing…

If there is one trait that separates mankind from all other earthly vermin it is this; our compassion and willingness to accommodate those with special needs. No other species of animal on this planet will go to the lengths that Man does to assist and support those of his own kind who, for whatever reason,…

I have been writing a bit in recent days about technology in workers’ compensation, thanks primarily to my attending the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas two weeks ago. Much of what I have written, and what I am still intending to write, is theoretical; a look at what “might be” in the world of…

Many of us love our pets. They are friends. They are family. This makes losing a cherished animal a very difficult thing; but for a variety of reasons some are harder to lose. Such was the case with our cat Coal, who passed away Thursday night. My wife and I have had numerous pets (animal…

I've already said it, but it bears repeating. The Consumer Electronics Show held last week in Las Vegas was an overwhelming experience. A towering monument to man's innovative spirit, it is a cacophonous display of unbridled creativity. We saw the best and brightest ideas on display in Las Vegas last week; yet as the 165,000…