29 May 2012
National and State-by-State Workers' Comp News Roundup: Powered by Larson's (5/29/2012)
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NATIONAL NEWS:
21st Annual National Workers' Compensation Conference Agenda Posted Online.
Nat'l WC Conference Partners With LexisNexis to Create Enhanced Legal Track Seminars.
2nd Circuit Affirms Duty to Defend in Lawsuit Alleging Mismanagement of Workers Comp Trust.
Investigative Report: Cell Phone Tower Workers Have High Death Rate.
Accident Fund Holdings to Changes Its Pharmacy Benefit Manager.
STATE NEWS:
AK: Governor Appoints Dianne Blumer Commissioner of Dept of Labor.
AZ: Court Rules Speculative Medical Opinion Insufficient to Deny Benefits.
CA: WCAB Files Lien Reg Changes With OAL.
CA: DWC Posts Annual Audit Unit Report.
CA: WCIRB: Employers Have New Workers Comp Ombudsman.
CA: Employers' Festa Names Chairman of Board of Governors for CIGA.
CA: WCRI: Medical Payments Per Claim Growing Rapidly After Steep Post-Reform Decreases.
CO: DWC Posts Maximum Benefit Rates for 2012.
FL: FWCJUA Posts Notice of Meeting/Workshop for 6/13/2012.
IL: Governor's Budget Proposes Raiding $21M From Workers Comp Fund for IDOT Purposes.
IL: IWCC Announces Search IWCC Case Database by Name.
IL: IWCC Revises Application and Settlement Forms.
IL: IWCC to Rule Soon on Controversial State Trooper's Appeals Denying Him Benefits.
IL: Repetitive Walking Claim by Menard Prison Guard Upheld by IWCC.
MD: Governor Signs SB 745 to Privatize IWIF.
MD: Governor Signs SB 1301 Budget Bill Raiding $50M From IWIF Surplus.
MD: Governor Signs HB 1101 Medical Presumptions Changes.
MD: Governor Signs SB 256, HB 876 Re P&C Notices of Premium Increases.
MD: Governor Signs SB 431, HB 1085 Altering Definitions re Emergency Responders.
MD: Governor Signs SB 811, HB 1094, SB 812, HB 1097 re Insurance Fraud Reporting, Fines.
MD: Governor Signs HB 421 re Calculation of Death Benefits.
MD: WCC Proposes Rule Changes Re Appealing Award of Attorney's Fee.
MD: WCC Proposes Rule Changes Re Independent Medical Examinations.
MI: WCA Posts 2011 Pay Lag Report by Industry Group and Individual Companies.
MI: WCA Posts 2011 Number of Initial Voluntary Payment Claims Disputed.
NV: WCS Spring Newsletter Warns of Employer Penalties for Delaying Treatment.
NC: IC Identifies 7 Employers Not in Compliance With WC Laws, or Owing Settlement Money.
NC: IC Grants Extensions to Employers to Comply With WC Laws.
NC: SB 852 Would Move IC's Fraud Unit to Dept of Insurance.
OH: Injured Worker Advocates Decry Workers Comp Changes Added to Budget Bill.
OH: BWC Extends $65M Private Employer Rate Cut; Administrative Assessments Decreasing.
OR: WCD Posts New Self-Insured Base Rates for Premium Assessment.
OR: Insurance Division Proposes Changes to Audit, Classification Rules.
OR: Medical Advisory Committee Revises Opioids Position Statement.
SD: NCCI Files -0.3 Rate Decrease.
TN: Advisory Council Recommends 5.1% Decrease in Workers Comp Rates.