Ohio Workers’ Comp Chief Made More Than the Governor

February 29, 2024

Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation medical officer is the highest-paid official

  • The highest hourly rate in Ohio state government went to the Bureau of Workers Compensation Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Bradley Lewis, at $174.46 an hour.
  • Bradley made $271,078 in 2023.
  • Bradey was among more than 300 Ohio state employees who made more money than Gov. Mike DeWine in 2023, according to data from the state’s Ohio Checkbook website.
  • DeWine was paid $170,950.52, with a listed pay rate of $82.24. This is about $3,000 more than he made in 2022, at $167,986.79, with a listed pay rate of $80.82 an hour.
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NY workers’ comp backlog reduced to zero

  • The New York State Workers’ Compensation Board recently announced that since launching the first, limited release of OnBoard in May 2022, the Board has reduced the backlog of level three prior authorization request (PAR) reviews from over 8,000 down to zero.
  • Over the past year and a half, the Board has been steadily working to reduce the level three PAR review backlog – using data to identify problem areas, implementing new processes, and adjusting staff resources.
  • As a result of the effort, every level three PAR review is now handled within two to three weeks.
  • Between, 90% to 95% of medication, behavioral health, and durable medical equipment PARs are resolved in one day or less, with the remaining 5 to 10 percent resolved within two to three days and special services PARs are resolved within about a week.
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Brewery owner in North Carolina killed

  • One of the founders of Wooden Robot Brewery Dan Wade was killed in an accident at their South End taproom.
  • Wooden Robot had posted a sign saying they would be closing both of their taprooms until further notice due to unforeseen circumstances. WCCB confirmed it was due to a deadly fall.
  • Wade was pronounced dead shortly before 2 p.m. at the South End location. They were dispatched to the address for a fall.
  • The N.C. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Division was notified and has been assigned to begin investigating the report.
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Report Released on Deadly Chocolate Factory Explosion

Pa. company had no procedures leading up to a deadly explosion

  • The National Transportation Safety Board has released new documents related to the deadly chocolate factory explosion in Pennsylvania last year.
  • On March 24, 2023, seven employees were killed, nearly a dozen were injured and residents in West Reading had to leave their homes.
  • The NTSB  found that the company’s emergency preparedness plan addressed food and safety but had no procedures regarding natural gas emergencies.
  • In October, OSHA said in its report that RM Palmer could have prevented the tragedy by following required safety procedures and evacuating employees when they smelled the gas leak.
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