Virginia mulls lowering rares
- The cost of workers’ comp in Virginia is set to decline again.
- The loss cost will decline 0.5% for voluntary coverage and 2.5% for assigned risk coverage beginning next spring if the State Corporation Commission accepts the just-filed proposal from the National Council on Compensation Insurance.
- Employers with more than two employees are required to have workers’ compensation insurance.
- Voluntary coverage is coverage that insurers compete to offer companies with relatively normal numbers of claims; assigned risk coverage is for firms that cannot get coverage otherwise.
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Trucker gets workers’ comp settlement for fall
- A truck driver suffered a severe knee injury in 2017 when he fell on the uneven pavement while exiting his truck and sued the operator of a fuel terminal alleging negligence.
- The plaintiff alleged that that made the uneven pavement more dangerous because drivers exit their trucks by climbing backward with three points of contact on the truck at all times.
- The defendant alleged that the uneven pavement was part of a spill containment system and was required by law.
- The workers’ comp claim settled for $450,000. The third-party liability claim went to mediation and settled for $675,000. The combined total recovery was $1.125 million.
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More challenges for construction-related deaths
- After a worker died on an Indiana construction site last week after being crushed, it underscored the risks construction workers face as the industry’s nationwide rate of work fatalities remains high.
- Sherry Gentry, 52, was crushed by a dump truck while working as a flagger, directing traffic around road construction.
- She died shortly after despite EMS attempts to resuscitate her and the local sheriff’s Office and state police are investigating.
- Experts and advocates claim the construction industry’s death rate is so high including the lack of unions, lax worker training or government inspections, and regulations based that are based on weak evidence or are poorly implemented.
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Texas passes workers’ comp bills
- The Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation recently released a new memo summarizing selected legislation from the 88th Legislature that affects workers’ comp.
- One of the ills included 90 Benefits for members of the Texas Military Forces.
- HB 2314 affects claims for death benefits filed with the insurance carrier.
- AB 2468 provides lifetime income benefits for first responders. The bills also can be accessed on the Texas Legislature Online website.
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