Increases for workers comp market
- The NCCI released a comprehensive account of financial results for the workers’ compensation line of business.
- In 2021, private carrier net written premium for workers’ comp increased from 2020 by 0.5% to $38.2 billion
- The workers’ compensation private carrier combined ratio was 87.2%, and the operating gain was 23.7%
- Workers compensation private carrier direct written premium increased nearly 10% through the first two quarters of 2022, compared with DWP through the first two quarters of 2021
Investigation after firefighters injured
- The Virginia Department of Labor and Industry opened an investigation into the Hampton Fire Department after eight firefighters were injured in a four-alarm fire in Hampton.
- Investigators are trying to determine if any occupational safety and health regulations were violated.
- The agency could issue citations to the fire department if violations are found.
- The Hampton Fire Department said it will cooperate fully and welcomes assessments from independent agencies.
In-person farm safety training
- SAIF recently announced it will be touring the state in the next few months to offer free farm safety sessions.
- The 29 free ag safety seminars will be in 17 cities across Oregon. The first was in Ontario on October 25, and they’ll continue through March — nine of the seminars will be presented entirely in Spanish.
- SAIF has put the seminars on for the last 29 years, helping Oregon’s farm owners, managers, and workers stay safe in one of the most hazardous industries.
- SAIF offered online webinars for the last two years in lieu of in-person events.
Houweling’s sued over workers’ compensation claims
- Casey Houweling, former owner of Houweling’s Tomatoes in Camarillo, Calif., is being sued by the California Agricultural Network, a non-profit of self-insured employers in the agricultural industry.
- CAN claims Houweling left the insurance network while owing more than $3 million in workers’ compensation claims. CAN was founded as a non-profit in 2004.
- The lawsuit also claims that Houweling was engaged in self-favoritism when his company sold the 160-acre Camarillo greenhouse property to a cannabis grower last year for roughly $93 million.
- Houweling’s Nurseries Oxnard became a member of the network in 2006 and stayed on until October 2021.