Flash: Read it Yourself – What Does CDI Say About Applied Underwriters’/ CIC
After some consideration in our newsroom we made the decision to provide CDI’s summary – the points and authorities – directly to you– without filters or interpretation – so you can decide what to make of it. Get the details by clicking here. Workers’ Comp Executive
Baltimore to pay workers’ comp to officer’s family
The city of Baltimore has agreed to pay workers’ compensation to the family of a law enforcement officer, rather than potentially dispute about whether his death was a homicide or suicide. Herald-Mail
Maryland justices set workers’ comp hearing loss at retirement
Employees who are more than 50 years of age and exposed to loud noises on the job have won a court victory, as Maryland’s justices ruled the date for calculating hearing loss for workers’ compensation is the date of retirement, not when they later get their ears checked. Maryland Daily Record
New Jersey workers’ comp could soon cover medical cannabis
New Jersey has taken another step toward making medical cannabis expenses eligible for workers’ compensation and some other insurance coverage, advancing a bill that requires workers’ comp and personal injury protection auto insurance benefits to cover it under certain circumstances. A previous version of the bill required a patient to try at least one other type of treatment before turning to cannabis. NJ.com
Bay State justices deny reimbursement for medical cannabis
The availability of workers’ comp payments has become a hot issue as medical cannabis continues to be legalized across the country. Massachusetts’ highest court recently ruled that employees who use medical cannabis in connection with a work-related injury cannot get reimbursed for it through workers’ compensation. Six states have allowed workers’ comp reimbursement at least to some extent, according to the Insurance Information Institute. Courthouse News Service
New York subway conductor charged with disability fraud
A former New York City subway conductor, who claimed he was injured at work the same day in 2015 that his managers notified him that he would be fired for disciplinary reasons, has been charged with stealing $114,000 in workers’ compensation from the transit agency. Prosecutors say he moved to south Florida and held law enforcement jobs while keeping disability pay and that for nearly three years, he filled out paperwork falsely certifying he did not pick up another job and remained unable to return to work. New York Daily News
Delaware’s workers’ comp rates to drop again
Delaware Insurance Commissioner Trinidad Navarro has announced workers’ compensation rates will decrease for the fourth year in a row, effective December 1. The voluntary market will experience an average 11.56 percent reduction, and residual market rates will go down an average of 8.8 percent, according to the commissioner. Delaware State News
Questions remain about effect of COVID on Florida rates
While workers’ compensation rates are decreasing for the fifth year in a row in Florida, it remains to be seen how COVID-19 and the commensurate claims that come from healthcare employees, first responders and others will affect those rates in the long term. South Florida Hospital News
Ohio restaurant industry expecting help from $5B BWC dividend
The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation’s $5 billion dividend for employers in the state will be the third dividend issued to Ohio employers this year, reaching about $8 billion in 2020. If approved, restaurants could get some much-needed funds to help sustain their businesses. WSYX/WTTE (Columbus, Ohio)