Norfolk Council Approves $124,900 Workers’ Compensation Settlement
- The Norfolk City Council approved a $124,900 workers’ compensation settlement with former Fire Division employee Kevin Armbruster.
- Armbruster alleged injuries to his extremities, back, and mental health caused by an ambulance incident.
- The incident occurred when an ambulance swerved or struck a curb.
- This agreement releases the city and its risk management association from further liability.
North Carolina Warns Workers’ Compensation Claimants of Impersonation Scam
- The North Carolina Industrial Commission is warning of a fraud scheme targeting workers’ compensation claimants with fake hearings to steal money.
- Scammers are impersonating professionals and using various communication methods, including phone calls, text, and social media.
- The scheme specifically targets injured workers and Spanish-speaking residents, requesting improper payments for benefits.
- Officials emphasize the commission never requests payments and advise reporting suspicious contacts.
Staffing Agency Policy Denies Host Contractor Workers’ Comp Immunity
- A temporary worker assigned by a Massachusetts staffing agency to a Maine job site filed a negligence lawsuit against the host contractor following an injury.
- Applying Massachusetts law, the Maine Supreme Judicial Court ruled that the host contractor lacked workers’ compensation immunity.
- Because the staffing agency’s insurance policy lacked an alternate employer endorsement, the contractor was exposed to third-party liability.
- The ruling highlights the necessity of proper insurance endorsements in temporary staffing contracts.