Fire Chief Files Federal Lawsuit Tied to Workers’ Comp Dispute
- Shawnee Township Fire Chief Austin Miller filed a federal lawsuit alleging his suspension was unlawful and linked to retaliation over a firefighter’s workers’ compensation history.
- The suit claims trustees revoked firefighter Brian Bailey’s training request because of prior comp claims, and Miller was punished after informing Bailey of that reason.
- Miller seeks reinstatement and damages exceeding $75,000, arguing the trustees violated due process and misused workers’ comp issues in personnel decisions.
- Miller filed the lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Toledo on December 12, 2025, naming Shawnee Township and trustees Ted Ciminillo, Clark Spieles, and Joe Recker as defendants.
Workers’ Comp Market Tightens as Costs and Claims Rise in 2026
- The workers’ comp market in 2026 is facing rising medical costs, more cumulative trauma claims, and concerns about reserve adequacy.
- Presumption laws that cover more conditions and expanded PTSD benefits are reshaping claims, while California’s 127% combined loss ratio is driving trends nationwide.
- Employers and brokers are responding to rising claim severity by turning to predictive analytics, AI tools, and wearables to improve workplace safety.
- As conditions tighten, alternative risk financing options like captives and self-insured groups are gaining momentum as practical ways to secure coverage.
Workers’ Comp Case Returned to Board for Fuller Explanation in New York
- A bus driver’s assistant injured in 2016 after being struck by her employer’s bus, asked the Workers’ Compensation Board to reopen her claim.
- The Board denied the request, saying no new evidence had been presented.
- On December 11, 2025, the New York Appellate Division ruled the Board failed to adequately explain its decision.
- The case was sent back for further review, requiring the Workers’ Compensation Board to provide a fuller explanation of its denial.