Pennsylvania News

Pennsylvania County Wrongly Estimated Blood Alcohol Levels

People who told police they were not that drunk while driving may have been right in one Pennsylvania county. Somerset County District Attorney Lisa Lazzari-Strasiser tells the Daily American that a hospital has been testing drivers’ blood serum, not whole …

Fatal Farm Accidents Involving Kids not Uncommon in Pennsylvania

The accidental drowning death of a Leacock Township teen Saturday was tragic, but unfortunately, not unique. Fifteen-year-old Jonas King was operating a skid loader when it overturned into a manure pit, trapping the boy under the heavy machinery. Three years …

Pennsylvania Driver License Suspensions Delayed by Clerical Errors

Driver’s license suspensions in hundreds of criminal cases since 2008 are being carried out now as because of what York County officials say was an oversight. The York Dispatch reported Wednesday that defendants in about 2,000 cases who were convicted …

Pennsylvania Wax Plant Fire Deemed Accidental

State and federal fire investigators say an explosion and fire at a northwestern Pennsylvania wax plant was accidental, though they haven’t described the specific cause. A state police fire marshal says investigators from that agency and the federal Bureau of …

Improperly Vented Propane Heater Blamed for 5 Deaths

State police are tentatively blaming an improperly vented propane heater as the cause of death for five people who likely succumbed to carbon monoxide fumes while asleep in a small Pennsylvania cabin. Trooper Angela Bieber at the state police barracks …

Pennsylvania Workers’ Comp Rates to Decline for Some This Month

The Pennsylvania Departments of Insurance and Labor & Industry announced a 5.15 percent workers’ compensation rate reduction, effective April 1. “As a result of this action, we estimate that Pennsylvania employers will experience annual savings in workers’ compensation insurance costs …

Pennsylvania Insurance Fraud Convictions Increase by 24%

According to fraud statistics compiled by the Pennsylvania Insurance Fraud Prevention Authority, suspected insurance fraud referrals increased by 9 percent in 2013 while criminal convictions increased 24 percent. In the latest issue of Pennsylvania Fraud Stories, Ralph Burnham, executive director …

Pennsylvania Jury Awards $55M for Boy’s Injuries at Birth

A jury in northeastern Pennsylvania has awarded $55 million to a family in a medical malpractice lawsuit. The Express-Times said the Lehigh County jury decided Monday that St. Luke’s University Hospital and one of its doctors are to blame for …

AIA Supports Curbing Physician Dispensed Medications in Pennsylvania’s Workers’ Comp System

The American Insurance Association (AIA) submitted a statement to the Pennsylvania House Labor Committee, in support of legislation aimed at controlling costs associated with physician dispensing of medications under Pennsylvania’s Workers’ Compensation Act. H.B. 1846 would permit physician dispensing only …

HM Addresses Workplace Safety Issues with Grant Program

HM Insurance Group provided 15 non-profit organizations across Pennsylvania with grants for equipment and workplace enhancements to improve the safety of employees and, in turn, the organizations’ workers’ compensation claims experience. “HM is committed to workplace safety and provides sound …