workers’ compensation News

Massachusetts Couple Charged With $627K in Workers’ Compensation Fraud and More

A Hopkinton, Massachusetts couple has been arrested and charged in connection with separate schemes to defraud their workers’ compensation insurance carriers, the Small Business Administration (SBA) and their mortgage lender. According to the U.S. Attorney, Ronaldo Solano and Adriana Solano …

Addressing the Shortage of Workers’ Compensation Claims Examiners

The workers’ compensation industry faces a daunting challenge: a severe shortage of qualified claims examiners. This crisis threatens to inflate costs, delay crucial benefit decisions, and undermine the quality of claims management. By understanding the root causes and implementing proactive …

Coalition Backing Bill to Improve Administration of Medicare with Workers’ Comp

A coalition representing a group of stakeholders voiced support of the introduction this week of the “Coordination of Medicare Payments and Workers’ Compensation Act” or the “COMP Act.” The bi-partisan legislation introduced by Representatives Mike Carey (R-OH) and Mike Thompson …

SAIF in Oregon Reports Ice Caused Most Workplace Slips, Trips, Falls in 7 Years

SAIF in Oregon, which reported receiving 400-plus claims after January’s winter weather, said more Oregon workers were injured from slips, trips, and falls due to snow or ice than during any other storm since January 2017. SAIF, Oregon’s not-for-profit workers’ …

Three in Miami Charged with Workers’ Comp Payroll Fraud

Three Miami-area construction labor suppliers have been charged with underreporting payroll and shorting their workers’ compensation insurers more than $220,000 in premiums. Juana Ledezma and Luis Ledezma, associated with Superior Group Management Inc., were arrested in mid-January after an investigation …

Texas Mutual Reports Nearly 6% Increase in Severe Injuries in 2023

Texas Mutual saw nearly 6% more severe injuries reported in 2023 compared with the previous year. That’s from an incident trends report released by the insurer. The report shows the construction industry reported the most serious incidents by industry in …

Texas Phlebotomist Sentenced for Workers’ Comp Double-Dipping

A Travis County district court sentenced a phlebotomist for double-dipping on her workers’ compensation benefits. Ruth Castilleja of Baytown, Texas, was sentenced on workers’ comp fraud charges after reporting an injury while working as a phlebotomist for BestCare Laboratory Services …

Connecticut Extends PTSD Benefits to All Workers Under Workers’ Compensation

The new year brought with it an expansion of Connecticut’s workers’ compensation benefits with regard to post-traumatic stress injuries or disorders (PTSD). Prior to January 1, only first responders were eligible for benefits for work-related PTSD; now under a new …

Iowa Supreme Ct. Restores Ruling that Rejected Worker’s Expert Report in PTD Claim

The Iowa Supreme Court on Friday reinstated a deputy workers’ compensation commissioner’s decision to bar reports that were submitted too late by experts who weren’t certified, reversing decisions by the district court and Court of Appeals. The high court said …

Medical Biller Charged With Stealing $1 Million in Workers’ Compensation Payments

New York Attorney General Letitia James announced the arrest and arraignment of a New Jersey man for allegedly stealing more than $1 million that was intended to be paid to doctors who provided medical care to injured workers covered under …