Data reveals more challenges with workplace falls
- Falls are the leading cause of death among construction workers.
- Almost 370 construction workers and 805 workers across all industries died from falls in 2020, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- Fall protection in construction has remained the most frequently cited OSHA violation each year since 2011.
- Respondents in a survey by CPWR believe a lack of planning is a key underlying cause of falls and insufficient or ineffective planning was the primary cause of falls
Settlement reached for the poultry industry
- The DOJ reached a settlement with a data consulting firm, its president, and three poultry processors over wages and benefits for poultry processing plant workers.
- The poultry processors must pay $84.8 million in restitution for workers who were harmed by the information exchange conspiracy.
- The poultry processors are prohibited from sharing competitively sensitive information about poultry processing plant workers’ compensation.
- A court-appointed antitrust compliance monitor will ensure the poultry processors’ compliance with the settlement terms for the next 10 years.
Mass. lawmaker wants data on workplace injuries, compensation
- Holyoke City Councilor Kevin Jourdain wants more information on the cause of municipal employees’ workplace injuries.
- Various city personnel and unions are being asked about the main causes of injuries, how the claims are handled, and ways to avoid future losses.
- Jourdain requested three years of relevant data to track injury and workers’ compensation claims, and employees injured on duty.
- Workers’ comp claims, early retirement related to injuries and other factors cost the city more than $1 million annually.
Beverly Hills doc pleads guilty to workers’ comp fraud
- A Beverly Hills doctor and his girlfriend pleaded guilty in connection with an insurance and workers’ compensation fraud scheme.
- Dr. Randy Rosen and co-defendant Liza Vismanos pleaded guilty and agreed to pay back $9.7 million in restitution.
- Rosen, who has about four years of credit for time served behind bars since his arrest two years ago, was also sentenced to 10 years in prison.
- Vismanos was sentenced to one year in jail, but is expected to apply for house arrest and will be placed on three years of formal probation.