Role of Age in Workers' Compensation

New study suggests younger and older employees' claims are comparable

Role of Age Regarding Workers' Compensation May Be Exaggerated: NCCI Suggests Younger and Older Employees' Claims Are Comparable, by John Stahl, Esq. Recent research by the National Council on Compensation Insurance, Inc., (NCCI) questions the belief that the aging American workforce is at the eye of the perfect storm related to workers' compensation claims. The anticipated increases in care provided (and the resulting increased shortage of medical providers) under Obamacare, high prescription drug costs related to physician dispensing and opioid abuse, and the extended recovery time and other characteristics of knee and back injuries are widely believed to be exacerbated as people become older. Read more.

State Cannot Limit the Scope of a Federal RICO Cause of Action, by Thomas A. Robinson. Reversing a decision by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan that had dismissed plaintiffs' RICO case against a former employer, its 3rd-party administrator, and a doctor, the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals recently held that the Federal Constitution's Supremacy Clause preempted a state legislature from eliminating a RICO remedy simply by declaring its workers' compensation scheme to be exclusive of federal remedies. Read more about this case and other cases on ex parte communication, penalties, and reemployment.

AZ: IC Claims Division Releases Average Monthly Wage Procedure Eff. 12/3/2012.

CA: DWC Posts Draft SB 863 Rules Re SJDB, Doctor Predesignation, Chiropractic PTP.

CA: DWC Announces Nov. 14 Meeting Re Changes to Physician Fee Schedule.

CA: CDI to Hold Public Hearing on 11/16 Re Jan. 1 Pure Premium Rate Filing.

CA: DWC Opens Registration for 20th Annual Educational Conference.

CA: Contra Costa County to Receive $1.3M in Grant Funds to Fight Insurance Fraud.

CT: Dept. of Labor Issues Stop Work Orders to 16 Companies.

GA: Governor Appoints Gobeil to State Board of Workers' Compensation.

GA: High Court Backs Employer's Access to Injured Worker's Health Information.

IA: Insurance Commissioner Approves WC Rate Increase.

LA: Court Affirms Certification of Healthcare Providers Class Action Re Silent PPOs.

MI: Judge Rules Injured Worker Has Right to Have Case Heard Locally.

MI: Accident Fund Celebrates 100th Anniversary.

MI: Attorney Alex Berman's Blog Honored as a LexisNexis Top 25 Workers' Comp Blogs.

MN: DLI Posts Tentative Timetable for 1/1/2014 Electronic Data Interchange Implementation.

MS: WCC Posts Revised Procedural Rules Effective Nov. 1.

MO: Attorney General Seeks to Fix Second Injury Fund.

NE: WCC Posts Information on Courtroom Technology.

NE: WCC Posts Notice, Agenda for Public Meeting Dec. 13.

NY: WCB to Consider Applications to Excuse Delay/Default Caused by Hurricane Sandy.

NY: WCB Posts 2013 Hearing Schedule.

NY: Court Affirms WCB on Boxer's Misrepresentation of Workplace Injury.

NY: 2012 Acute Case Inpatient Rates, Exempt Hospitals, Detoxification Inpatient Rates.

NC: IC Says Enhanced Document Portal With Pay-Later Capability Now Available.

NC: Insurance Commissioner Approves Decrease in Loss Costs.

OH: Sarah Morrison Appointed BWC Chief Legal Officer.

OH: Injured Casino Workers Argue Casino's Self Insurance Program Shouldn't Apply to Them.

OR: WCD Posts Revised Elective Surgery Notification Form.

OR: WCD Posts Revised Version of PTD Calculator.

OR: WCD Reports Total WC Defense Legal Costs Decreased 6% in 2011.

OR: MAC to Discuss Opioid Position Paper at Nov. 16 Meeting.

PA: Former Volunteer Firefighter Acquitted on Fraud Charges.

TN: Governor, GOP, Business Groups Not in Total Agreement on Extent of WC Reforms.

TX: DWC Seeks Input on Medical Quality Review CY 2013 Annual Audit Plan.

TX: DWC Amends Rules Re Reporting Standards and State Specific Requirements.

TX: DWC Announces Recent Enforcement Actions.

TX: DWC Reports Rate of Nonfatal Injuries/Illnesses in Private Sector Unchanged in 2011.

TX: AG Opinion Addresses Concealed Hand Guns in Vehicles on Employer Parking Lots.

TX: WCRI Study Finds WC Costs Per Claim Declined Following Several Years of Growth.

TX: High Court Renders Judgment for Insurer, Reverses Award in Back Injury Case.

VA: High Court Rules Estate of Asbestos Victim Not Barred by WC Act From Suing Shipbuilder.

WA: L&I Offering Free Emergency Washing/Eyewash Workshops for Employers.

WA: L&I Says Surprise Sweep of 63 Work Sites Uncovers Unregistered Contractors.

November 5, 2012: Impact of Affordable Care Act on Prescription Drug Costs.

October 29, 2012: Evidence of Ethnic Bias in Workers' Comp Awards. 

October 22, 2012: Top 25 Blogs for Workers'  Comp; Longshore Act Hieroglyphics. 

October 15, 2012: 50 State & DC Premium Rate Rankings. 

October 8, 2012: High Costs of Long-Term Opioid Use.

October 1, 2012: How to Achieve a Desirable Experience Modification Factor. 

ACCESS 2010-2012 ARCHIVES AND ARTICLES LIST HERE.