Connecticut looking to reduce workers’ comp prices
- The National Council on Compensation Insurance is proposing an average 9.8% reduction in voluntary loss costs for Connecticut worker’s comp costs, effective Jan. 1.
- The filing is based on premium and loss experience for policy years 2020-2022 and excludes claims for COVID-19. NCCI said the primary driver of the proposal is improved experience.
- Lost-time claim frequency has generally been declining in the state. Although claims increased in policy years 2020 and 2021, frequency declined a cumulative 5% over the period from 2018 to 2021.
- Average indemnity and medical cost-per-case figures have been declining and the decrease in severity is more than enough to offset increases in frequency.
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Widow of firefighter battling for his workers’ comp
- The widow of a Salem, Oregon firefighter who died of cancer is battling to keep benefits.
- Firefighter Maurice Stadeli died of throat cancer, and the city of Salen filed an appeal that Stadeli had pre-existing conditions that led to the cancer not his exposure during his 28-year firefighting career.
- Oregon has a presumption law that says cancer is an “on-the-job” injury for firefighters, which makes them eligible for workers’ compensation.
- In 2021, the Oregon Court of Appeals ruled in favor of Stadeli’s estate, but Salem is appealing that decision.
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Coalition wants worker safety extension
- The Coalition for Workplace Safety submitted a letter to the U.S. Department of Labor requesting a 60-day extension to the comment period on OSHA notice of proposed rulemaking to the “Worker Walkaround Representative Designation Process.”
- OSHA’s proposed rulemaking would allow employees to designate nonemployees as their representatives during facility walkarounds with OSHA compliance safety and health officers.
- CWS’s letter stated this is a significant change to OSHA’s procedures for workplace safety inspections, and that a 60-day extension to the comment period would ensure the regulated community has the opportunity it needs to analyze the changes.
- CWS also said that by providing this extension, OSHA will obtain more insightful and useful input from the regulated community before making such significant changes to its procedures.
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Worker killed at Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix
- A construction worker was killed while erecting the inaugural Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix.
- The man suffered a major laceration to the neck while working at the site’s Bellagio Fountains on the Las Vegas Strip around 11:30 a.m., according to the Las Vegas Metro Police Department.
- The injured worker was rushed to an area hospital, where he later died.
- Federal officials are investigating the workplace incident.
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