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WC news News

Driver Says He Smoked Pot Oil, Took Meds Before Florida Crash That Killed 8 Workers

OCALA, Fla. (AP) — A man with a long record of dangerous driving told investigators he smoked marijuana oil and took prescription drugs hours before he sideswiped a bus, killing eight Mexican farmworkers and injuring dozens more, according to an …

Driver of Pickup Charged with DUI After Crash with Bus that Killed 8 Farmworkers

OCALA, Fla. (AP) — The Florida Highway Patrol has arrested the driver of a pickup truck that crashed into a farmworker bus early Tuesday, killing eight, on charges of driving under the influence-manslaughter. Bryan Maclean Howard, 41, faces eight counts …

US Workers’ Comp Line Still Showing Strong Profits, Lower Claim Frequency

Net written premium in the U.S. workers’ compensation insurance market grew by just 1% from 2022 to 2023, a far smaller percentage than most other property/casualty lines. However, the workers’ compensation line remains the most profitable segment, with a combined …

Georgia Governor Signs First Responders’ PTSD Benefits Bill Into Law

Starting in January, Georgia’s first responders will be eligible for limited, supplemental benefits to help cover treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder, after Gov. Brian Kemp signed House Bill 451 into law. The law requires municipalities and other jurisdictions to provide …

NC News Chopper Crash Likely Caused by Shaky Inspections, Loose Parts, NTSB Finds

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Investigators found disconnected and missing hardware aboard a helicopter that crashed in 2022, killing the pilot and a North Carolina television station’s meteorologist, according to the National Transportation Safety Board. The NTSB’s final report on the …

Florida Saw Jump in Workers’ Comp Cost per Claim in 2022-23, WCRI Report Shows

Call it the effects of wage creep during the pandemic, along with a little bit of creep in the duration of benefits. Employers and insurers in Florida saw a 7% increase in total cost per workers’ compensation claim in 2022 …

Death of 4 Officers in Charlotte Shows Risks Police Face When Serving Warrants

(AP) Arrest warrants must be served to alleged criminals if society is going to function. But there is no guarantee of safety for police officers knocking on their doors. The grim risks came into stark relief Monday when four law …

16 Nabbed in Florida Sting Operation for Failing to Get Workers’ Comp Coverage

A sting operation in Manatee County, Florida, has led to the arrest of 16 men who were working without a contractor’s license and without securing workers’ compensation insurance on their employees. The sting was led by the Manatee Sheriff’s office …

BNSF Becomes 2nd RR to Sign on to Anonymous Federal Safety Hotline for Workers

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — BNSF will become the second major freight railroad to allow some of its employees to report safety concerns anonymously through a federal system without fear of discipline. The Federal Railroad Administration announced Thursday that the railroad …

Price or Safety? Priorities Change for Small Businesses After a Workers Comp Claim

Previous workers’ compensation claims can present an opportunity for agents serving small-business clients. The Hanover’s “2024 Small Business Risk Report: A Focus on Workers’ Compensation,” which surveyed 300 small business owners, found that a workers’ compensation claim experience can influence …