News News Archive Email A Friend March 25, 2024 California Division of Workers' Compensation Posts Adjustments to Official Medical Fee Schedule (Physician Services / Non-Physician Practitioner Services) March 19, 2024 Nearly half of all litigated workers' compensation claims in the Los Angeles basin are cumulative trauma claims. March 7, 2024 California's Division of Workers' Compensation Posts Adjustment to Official Medical Fee Schedule (Ambulance Services) March 6, 2024 Accident Claims The Life of AdminSure Claims Adjuster Alexis Wicker
| | Robert's Wrap-Up By Robert Warne - January 15, 2002Survey Said…
The Insurance Research Council (IRC) and Insurance Services Office, Inc. (IOC) conducted a survey recently of about 73 percent of U.S. property-casualty insurers to reveal how they felt about fraud. Workers’ compensation and private passenger auto were identified as the two lines subject to the most fraud. Many insurers view the frequency of “soft fraud” (i.e. exaggerated claims) as one of the greatest overall claim cost contributors. Also, many respondents said they view their efforts to fight fraud as only moderately effective. The one area of improvement identified by the survey was the attention paid to application and premium fraud. Richard Boehning, ISO senior vice president, said that both insurance companies and honest policyholders could benefit by stopping others from obtaining policies under false pretenses.
Some Just Couldn’t Resist
Trial lawyers are giving in to their ultimate temptation: to file 9/11 liability lawsuits. Lawyers are starting to break ranks on the moratorium requested by the Association of Trial Lawyers of America (ATLA) for applicant attorneys to resist lawsuits following the terrorist attacks. As of Jan. 15, four suits have been filed against the airlines and airport security. Leo V. Boyle, the president of ATLA said that the suits don’t represent a breach of the moratorium. Robert A. Clifford, chairman of an American Bar Association task force on terrorism, stated that suits are inevitable. Boyle believes it will be difficult for a person to do better in court than by just accepting what the World Trade Center compensation fund has to offer.
Dollar Days in Oregon
Arthur Deweert might be the best candidate to star in a long distance “dollar doesn’t get you much these days” commercial. The Oregon longshoreman injured his back on the job in 1993. Through numerous examinations and therapy treatments he continued to work for three more years. He eventually applied for permanent partial disability benefits under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act. Because the administrative law judge hearing the case found that Deweert’s post-injury wage-earning capacity exceeded his pre-injury average weekly wage, he was awarded the nominal sum of $1.00 per week.
Pilot Program Relieves Pressure on OSHA or Contractors?
In an effort to increase safety at short-term worksites the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is launching a pilot program. OSHA Program Administrator Paula White said the program is aimed at construction projects that only last a couple of weeks and will free up inspectors to focus on contractors with a history of workplace injuries. Contractors, who agree to be accountable to meet certain safety standards, would reduce the amount of scheduled workplace visits by OSHA. Another incentive for contractors is that reducing workplace injuries typically translates into lower workers’ compensation premiums.
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