RAMP Act Seeks to Shield Workers’ Comp Payers from Double Damages
- Workers’ compensation stakeholders would see significant changes under the proposed RAMP Act, which modifies Medicare Secondary Payer compliance rules.
- The federal legislation seeks to eliminate double damages for employers and insurers who make good-faith reporting errors during settlements.
- By capping penalties at the single amount owed to Medicare, the bill reduces the litigation risks inherent in workers’ compensation claims.
- This shift aims to streamline the resolution of complex cases involving Medicare beneficiaries.
Iowa Supreme Court Reverses $2.8 Million Verdict Citing Workers’ Comp Exclusivity
- The Iowa Supreme Court reversed a $2.8 million jury award, ruling that workers’ compensation remains the exclusive remedy for a fatal workplace accident.
- The court determined the plaintiff failed to prove co-employee gross negligence under Iowa law because the coworkers lacked actual knowledge of the danger.
- This decision reinforces the legal immunity provided to employers and colleagues against tort lawsuits for work-related injuries.
- Consequently, the case was remanded for dismissal of the claims against the individual employees.
New Excess Workers’ Comp Product Targets Large Self-Insured Entities
- Employers Holdings, Inc. has introduced a new excess workers’ compensation insurance product tailored for large self-insured employers and public entities.
- This offering provides both specific and aggregate coverage to protect organizations against catastrophic or high-frequency claim losses.
- The program includes risk management tools such as predictive analytics, industry benchmarking, and real-time claims reporting.
- These services are underwritten by Employers Assurance Company, which maintains an A rating from A.M. Best.