Legal/Regulatory

Attorney Involvement Linked to Weaker Physical Recovery in Workers’ Comp Claims, WCRI Finds

Injured workers represented by attorneys reported a 10-point lower physical health and recovery score three years after injury than unrepresented workers, with little difference in medical payments, according to the Workers Compensation Research Institute.

TRIA Reauthorization Would Push More Terrorism Risk Onto Insurers, A.M. Best Says

California’s Homeowners Insurance Crisis Is About More Than Affordability

A Unique Forum for Financial Regulators Enters a New Chapter

Portable Benefits Legislation Surges As States Rethink Worker Classification Rules

Recently in Legal/Regulatory

Is Accident Crossing Street During Break Compensable?

The court ponders whether an injury sustained during a paid lunch break is compensable.

NM Proposes Cutting Benefits to Impaired Claimants

A proposal to sharply reduce workers’ comp benefits for substance abusing claimants has the support of more than 65 percent of state residents.

When Comp and Non-Comp Drugs Collide

Workers’ comp payers are worried about poly-substance abuse cases, and the issue of who is liable if a mix of drugs proves lethal.

Workers’ Comp Docket

Significant workers’ comp legal decisions from around the country.

The Uncertainty of Certificates

Certificates of insurance are often required, but risk managers should understand that it is always the actual policy that controls coverage.

Brokers Cheer NARAB Passage

The law streamlines the national licensing process for brokers, but it may take two years to be operational.

Chemical Release Injuries Not Covered by Comp

A judge says BP failed to prove that 315 employees injured in a chemical release were harmed in the scope of their employment.

Okla. Exclusive Remedy Case Closely Watched

One word — unforeseen — is threatening to unravel the exclusive remedy provision in Oklahoma’s workers’ comp law, potentially opening the door for a flood of lawsuits against employers with dangerous operations.

Workers’ Comp Docket

Significant workers’ comp legal decisions from around the country.

The ACA and International Assignees

Large employers need to address ACA compliance issues for their globally mobile employees.

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FAA: Do Your Job

The FAA needs to issue real UAV regulations.

Was Fall Outside Building Within Course of Employment?

Employee claims the location where she was injured was not a parking area, but a part of the workplace.

Regulatory Review

A round-up of nationwide regulatory changes affecting the workers’ compensation industry.

Workers’ Comp Docket

Significant workers’ comp legal decisions from around the country.

Union-Related Regulations Increase

Three recent NLRB decisions make it more difficult for employers. GOP control of Congress probably won’t make a difference.

Congress Quickly Changes Course on TRIA

Both houses overwhelmingly approved legislation renewing the federal terrorism insurance backstop, to industry leaders’ great relief.

Court Approves Comp for Post-Robbery PTSD

A recent court ruling reverses a prior decision, which found that the potential for armed robbery in the workplace was a normal working condition.

Calculating the Costs of Fracking

The reaction to New York State banning fracking shows a disconnect between insurers, politicians and environmentalists.

Drones Offer Risks, Underwriting Challenges

UAV risks include collisions with aircraft, invasion of privacy, aerial surveillance and data collection.

Sony Incident Highlights Risk Struggles

There are two distinct risk issues at play in the Sony issue: data security and freedom of speech.