When the pandemic hit two years ago a years-long strategy in the workers compensation industry was controlling opioid prescriptions — a goal that has continued despite interruptions stemming from COVID-19 claims and disruptions. Experts say opioids in new injured worker claims are continuing to trend downward, as state-mandated formularies, monitoring programs and other protocols appear to be working to curb…
More states are aiming to require workers compensation coverage for those enrolled in career apprenticeships and technical schools. Most recently, Indiana, Oklahoma and Wyoming sought to join states where this coverage is required; California, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Tennessee and Texas have passed legislation that calls on local education agencies to provide workers compensation coverage for students participating in work-based learning,…
Remote and hybrid work arrangements, which were put in place when pandemic lockdowns forced many workers to stay home, have left employers with lingering safety-related concerns even as COVID-19 fades. Many ergonomics concerns related to remote work were well-known before the pandemic, but with home offices commonplace those issues demand an extra level of attention, sources say. And employers should…
McDonald’s is facing a multi-state consumer class action lawsuit over its use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) substances in packaging because of alleged migration of those chemicals into food products. PFAS are considered “forever chemicals” because their carbon-fluorine bonds are extremely strong and not appreciably degraded under environmental conditions, according to the lawsuit filed March 28 at the Southern District…
A SCF Lewis and Clark Fleeting crew member claims he was injured while working on a marine vessel in Granite City. Ray W. Bowler II filed a lawsuit in the Madison County Circuit Court against SCF Lewis and Clark Fleeting LLC, and Canton Marine Towing, Inc., alleging negligence, unseaworthiness and maintenance and cure. According to the lawsuit, Bowler was employed…
The average cost of COVID-19 related claims increased “significantly” in the last six months of 2021, according to a report released Wednesday by San Diego-based Mitchell International Inc. As of December, the average indemnity cost for a COVID-19 claim increased 40% when compared with Mitchell’s analysis of data in June 2021 to about $3,478 per claim, according to the report,…
