Massachusetts Court Says WC Insurers Eligible to Tap Trust Fund for Old Claims
- Arrowood Indemnity Co. should have been entitled to reimbursement from the Massachusetts Workers’ Compensation Trust Fund despite having stopped issuing new WC policies there in 2003, according to a July 11 Massachusetts Appeals Court ruling.
- The court vacated a review board decision that denied reimbursement from the fund that covers WC benefits previously paid to injured workers who have additional work-related injuries.
- The court said when insurers enter a run-off period, and no longer issue new policies in Massachusetts while continuing to collect premiums from existing policies, it is entitled to trust fund reimbursements.
READ MORE
Flash: California Commissioner Rejects Call For Workers’ Comp Rate Hike
- The Sept. 1, 2024, workers’ comp rate decision is in, and employers dodged another Bureau attempt to hike rates. How much were the rates cut? Find out by clicking here…
Canadian Province WC Board to Cover Psychological Injuries
- The Workers Compensation Board of Canada’s Prince Edward Island will begin covering psychological injuries caused by work-related harassment as of Jan. 1, 2025.
- The change is part of WCB’s ongoing efforts to ensure comprehensive coverage for all work-related injuries, recognizing the importance of both physical and psychological health, according to chair Jim MacPhee.
- The provincial agency has introduced a psychological care process to streamline the diagnosis and treatment of work-related psychological injuries.
- The process includes access to psychologists and a network of counselors.
- Last year, psychological injury claims accounted for 1% of the total claims accepted by the board.
READ MORE
Connecticut Ends Probe of Senator on Income Reporting While Receiving WC Payments
- Connecticut has ended a probe of allegations that State Senator Paul Cicarella failed to report some other sources of income while receiving workers’ compensation payments.
- The statute of limitations for potential criminal conduct arising out of the allegations expired in 2019, the Connecticut Division of Criminal Justice announced on July 11.
- Last month, CTInsider reported that Cicarella collected $123,000 in workers’ compensation payments between December 2008 and July 2013 without reporting three other sources of income. (cited in 6/17 issue of Workers’ Comp Advisor.)
READ MORE
Captives Seen as Aid to Cannabis Businesses Seeking WC Coverage
- Cannabis-related businesses are having trouble finding affordable and comprehensive insurance, including workers’ compensation coverage, Captive.com reported.
- Insurers are reportedly reluctant to provide such coverage for weed-related business due to legal – primarily federal – uncertainties.
- “Properly employed, captives can offer cannabis companies the ability to proactively manage risks better than they can currently manage them through conventional insurance, as well as potentially seeing significant tax advantages,” said Jason Horst, managing partner at Horst Legal Counsel.
READ MORE