Flash: WCIRB Approves Amending COVID-19 Surcharge

The California rating bureau is moving to amend the 2021 pure premium rate filing to change how it proposes allocating COVID-19 costs after rejecting a proposal to ease the impact on employers. What was proposed, why was it rejected and how will the amending filing affect rates? Get the details here. Workers’ Comp Executive

Flash: COVID-19 Premium Surcharge Changes

A key committee at the rating bureau is recommending changes to the January 2021 rate filing surcharges related to COVID-19 claims. Cost allocations are shifting. Who will be bearing the brunt of the changes if they are approved? Get the details here. Workers’ Comp Executive

Florida businesses could get break on workers’ comp insurance

Florida workers’ compensation insurance costs could go down in 2021 by an average of 5.7 percent, which would be the fourth straight year of premium decreases. The state Office of Insurance Regulation will review the filing before issuing an order setting the rates, which would take effect January 1. Florida’s average rates dropped 7.5 percent, after reductions of 13.8 percent in 2019 and 9.5 percent in 2018. Miami Herald

Former employees, families sue contractors on Ohio nuclear plant

A lawsuit filed on behalf of former nuclear employees and their families accuses several U.S. Department of Energy contractors of poisoning workers and the people, land, air and water for miles around the former Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant that was in southern Ohio. The lawsuit is requesting a medical monitoring program that would evaluate the multi-generational impact of radioactive contamination. Columbus Dispatch

Woman pleads guilty to stealing workers’ comp

A 60-year-old Randolph, New York woman has pleaded guilty to stealing more than $3,000 in workers’ compensation after she allegedly forged her late father’s name in order to cash the checks. Sentencing is scheduled for mid-November. Post-Journal (Jamestown, N.Y.)

New Jersey: Paterson paid controversial staffer $29K in workers’ comp

Records show Paterson, New Jersey Mayor Andre Sayegh’s controversial former personnel director received more than $29,000 in workers’ compensation payments. The employee was among a group of top-ranking officials in the administration who were bypassing the city’s biometric system used to track employees’ work hours. Additionally, she reportedly worked remotely although no policy existed allowing employees to work from home. Paterson Times