Workers’ comp fraud could be on rise due to increased illegal activity
- The mob in New York City is making a comeback in the construction business.
- These crooks also manipulate government programs and are allegedly cheating workers’ compensation payments in schemes that have left injured employees without insurance.
- Some companies have been accused by a local union of cheating workers out of overtime and discouraging them from filing workers’ comp claims.
- Other firms have also been accused of shortchanging their employees on wages and workers’ compensation insurance.
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Workers’ comp partnership offers Hazmat training
- Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine launched a new online resource for hazardous materials training for local first responders.
- The Ohio Department of Commerce Division of State Fire Marshal helped develop a new website that compiles all known first responder training in the state.
- The resource was developed in response to the recent train derailment disaster in East Palestine in order to ensure a singular depository for the HazMat courses that train firefighters in responding to derailments and other emergencies.
- The trainings are free to first responders thanks to state agencies and industry partners.
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Connecticut finalizes workers’ comp bill
- The Connecticut House of Representatives approved a Senate bill that would open workers’ comp benefits to people who suffer trauma from the violence they witness at work.
- Workers throughout the state who suffer from post-traumatic stress after witnessing a death or catastrophic injury while on the job would be eligible for up to 52 weeks of worker’s comp benefits.
- If signed into law, workers would have a year after such violent events to apply for the benefits, which are currently limited to police, firefighters, emergency medical personnel, and emergency dispatchers.
- Applicants would have to be diagnosed by qualified mental health professionals as suffering from the “direct result” of such traumatic events.
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Airport workers rail against hazardous workplace
- Airport workers in Newark, New Jersey, staged a rally over alleged hazardous workplace conditions.
- Workers with Swissport Cargo, which provides services for United Airlines, accused the company of violations including forcing them to use vehicles with faulty brakes, exposure to chemicals, and being subjected to rats and roaches in break rooms.
- Swissport workers in multiple cities including New York and Newark filed formal complaints with OSHA.
- “Swissport fully complies with all applicable labor regulations and provides competitive wages and benefits,” the company said in a statement.
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