Texas Comp System: ‘Good Ship Lollipop’ or ‘Pirates of the Caribbean”

May 17, 2004

  • May 17, 2004 at 3:38 am
    branson says:
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    Instead if Mr. Reynolds agreeing that the STATE is in big trouble, why doesn’t he make a statement such as let’s all do something about it: It needs to be change: Instead of blaming the TPA’s that service the law.

    I work for the largest employer in TEXAS, we will probably go non-sub, if there is no changes, or at least someone at the top that can implement some changes, instead of making comments such as “Yes we are in trouble” Let’s fix it?

  • May 19, 2004 at 2:47 am
    jim mallory says:
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    in 1991, lawyers were effectively removed from the comp cost system. Shortly thereafter, TWCC’s hazardous employer method of enforcing safety in business was gutted by the Texas Supreme Court. A year or so ago, the doctor’s fees were effectively reduced by using medicare reimbursements as a guideline. Again, the Texas Supreme Court sided with Texas businesses.

    After all that accomplishment,we still have a WC crisis and the highest comp rates in the nation.

    If accidents are prevented by business, there will be fewer claims and the rates would likely go down. Businesses should not subscribe to the myth’s that most back injuries are fake and that all accidents are caused by lack of common sense. It ain’t so and never will be.

    You can’t expect employees to stop accidents without education and training any more than you can expect them to build products or provide quality services without education and training.

    The only thing we haven’t tried in Texas is voluntarily focusing on accident prevention programs. The Supreme Court wll not allow the Texas government to force businesses to be safe. There aren’t enough WC lawsuits filed in the state to adversely impact the rates. The only thing left is for businesses to save themselves by voluntarily preventing accidents.

    Thanks for the opportunity to express my thoughts.

    Jim Mallory, P.E.
    Safety Engineer
    since 1969

  • May 18, 2004 at 4:03 am
    FB says:
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    What does Mr. Reynolds mean by “third party pirates” and why did Mr. Reynold’s feifdom allow the system to be “taken over” by anything?

    Time to polish up the old resume?

  • May 18, 2004 at 4:58 am
    Jeremy Leonard says:
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    Ok, we admit that Texas Workers’ Compensation is flawed……….. I have an idea! Let’s force everyone to use our flawed system, that will fix everything!

  • May 24, 2004 at 5:49 am
    Don T says:
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    Having been in the business more than 30 years, I find it ludicrous that we still have a combatitive attitude regarding what should be done to fix the system. We attempt external fixes at the TWCC level, however, considering the nonsubscriber environment where companies tend to “fix their own problems” (internal fixes), they appear to have done a more reasonable job to accommodate the needs of their employees. Furthermore, with the addition of roughly 35% of existing employers into the WC system by mandating WC doesn’t appear to “fix the problem” …. If anything, it would likely complicate matters beyond that which we have experienced thus far. Even more interesting would be the implication to the Texas economy through mandating WC and having hundreds, perhaps thousands, of companies simply go out of business or out of state – whichever is easier and more cost effective. That sounds like a great solution to everyone’s problem! As the old song goes, “love me or leave me….” Don’t forget the evacuation of companies in the early 90’s. Understanding the problem seems to be the problem. I am not certain I have seen anyone agree on what the “problem” really is. It appears that we identify the effects of the loss more easily than the cause of loss. Everone wants to make a profit and blame the other guy. It is easy to point the finger of blame in every direction but your own. Somehow I think many of us learned that in in our youth. Strange how we still do that, isn’t it?

  • May 25, 2004 at 3:15 am
    KK says:
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    One of the most obvious and glaring problems in the TX system goes back to the basic premise of WC. Simply put the Injured worker gives up the right to sue in return for the promise of having the employer take care of medical and indemnity expenses associated with a work related injury.

    You can consistenty show that in states with minimal litigation a much larger portion of the systemic expense goes to the injured worker or people treating the injured worker.



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