Missouri lawmakers pass bill that would prevent injured workers from suing colleagues

By: Sheena Harrison

Published May 16, 2012 - 11:37am CST

COLUMBIA, Mo.—Missouri legislators have passed a workers compensation bill that aims to prevent injured workers from suing their co-workers over workplace accidents.

Average PPO cost per family hits all-time high: Milliman

By: Matt Dunning

Published May 15, 2012 - 2:17pm CST

While cost increases for families enrolled in employer-sponsored preferred provider organizations have slowed since 2010, average total costs per family still hit an all-time high, according to a report released Tuesday by Seattle-based Milliman Inc.

Mississippi governor signs workers compensation reform bill

By: Sheena Harrison

Published May 15, 2012 - 11:56am CST

JACKSON, Miss.—Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant signed into law Monday a workers compensation reform bill that will require claimants to meet a higher burden of proof that their injuries were work-related.

EEOC to publish discrimination charge statistics online

By: Judy Greenwald

Published May 14, 2012 - 1:13pm CST

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Equal Employment Commission said Monday it is making its private sector workplace discrimination charge statistics for each of the 50 states and U.S. territories available online for fiscal years 2009-2011.

Managing workplace violence requires crisis communication

Published May 13, 2012 - 6:00am CST

The degree to which a mid-market company effectively manages internal and external communications may greatly affect its ability to recover physically and financially from a violent incident in the workplace, several security and risk management experts say.

Workplace violence mitigated by emergency communications plan

By: Matt Dunning

Published May 13, 2012 - 6:00am CST

With a well-organized, comprehensive emergency communications plan, mid-market companies can significantly reduce the risk of long-term physical, emotional and financial fallout resulting from a violent incident in the workplace, security and risk management experts say.

Beazley offers data breach protection to small firms

By: Anna Gaynor

Published May 11, 2012 - 1:54pm CST

FARMINGTON, Conn.—Beazley P.L.C. has announced the launch of a data breach protection service for smaller firms.

Unifirst could be fined $186,000 for 'willful,' 'serious' safety violations at plant

By: Matt Dunning

Published May 11, 2012 - 1:36pm CST

WEST CALDWELL, N.J.—A Massachusetts-based uniform and laundry services company could be forced to pay $186,000 for a number of “serious” and “willful” safety and health violations at one of its facilities, according to federal workplace safety officials.

ACE USA launches enhanced pollution liability product for public entities

By: Anna Gaynor

Published May 11, 2012 - 1:07pm CST

PHILADELPHIA—ACE USA has introduced an enhanced pollution liability insurance product covering environmental risks for public and educational entities, the division of ACE Group Holdings Inc. announced Wednesday.

N.J. governor vetoes state health insurance exchange legislation

By: Jerry Geisel

Published May 11, 2012 - 11:57am CST

TRENTON, N.J.—New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie on Thursday vetoed legislation, that would create a state health insurance exchange where insurers could provide coverage to individuals and small employers.

More employers offering wellness initiatives: Study

By: Matt Dunning

Published May 11, 2012 - 9:30am CST

While more companies are turning to wellness programs to curb employee medical costs and improve their workers' general health, relatively few are measuring the actual return on investment those programs generate, according to a study by the Brookfield, Wis.-based International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans.

Allied World Bermuda offers enhanced Side A directors and officers coverage

Published May 10, 2012 - 2:20pm CST

PEMBROKE, Bermuda—Allied World Bermuda has launched a directors and officers liability policy that provides broad Side A coverage for nonindemnified losses.

Workers compensation market 'conflicted' despite economy's rebound: NCCI

By: Roberto Ceniceros

Published May 10, 2012 - 11:01am CST

While workers compensation insurer premium growth shows “that the worst of the recession has passed,” the insurance market for injured-employee coverage “remains in a worrisome state,” NCCI Holdings Inc. reported Thursday.

N.Y. landlord, sex offender settle Fair Housing Act case for $2M

By: Judy Greenwald

Published May 09, 2012 - 2:04pm CST

NEW YORK—A New York landlord who had employed as a superintendent a registered sex offender who had sexually harassed female tenants has reached a $2 million settlement with the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York.

Miss. Workers' Compensation Commission decisions can be appealed to high court

By: Sheena Harrison

Published May 08, 2012 - 1:11pm CST

JACKSON, Miss.—In a split en banc decision Thursday, the Mississippi Supreme Court ruled that decisions from the state's Workers' Compensation Commission can be appealed directly to the high court.

Michigan school district settles fume-related workers comp claims

By: Roberto Ceniceros

Published May 08, 2012 - 1:07pm CST

PORTAGE, Mich.—A Michigan public school district has agreed to pay $432,000 to settle workers compensation claims by four teachers who alleged they suffered health problems caused by fumes from a high school renovation project.

Commercial property/casualty market has turned: Council president

By: Mark A. Hofmann

Published May 08, 2012 - 10:05am CST

Pricing for commercial property/casualty insurance accounts increased an average of 4.4% during the first quarter this year compared with the same period last year, according to a survey released Tuesday by the Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers.

Conn. Supreme Court upholds hostile work environment claim by gay employee

By: Judy Greenwald

Published May 07, 2012 - 3:49pm CST

HARTFORD, Conn.—In its first ruling on the issue, the Connecticut Supreme Court has upheld a hostile work environment claim brought by a gay employee.

Maryland court to decide on jurisdiction for Washington Redskins workers comp cases

By: Sheena Harrison

Published May 07, 2012 - 1:09pm CST

ANNAPOLIS, Md.—Maryland’s Court of Appeals is set to decide whether Maryland has jurisdiction over workers compensation cases from Washington Redskins players who play part time in the state.

Littler’s Employee Benefits Counsel Blog

Published May 07, 2012 - 11:04am CST

Authored by attorneys at San Francisco-based Littler Mendelson PC, the Employee Benefits Counsel blog offers benefit managers timely analysis and advice on a wide variety of ERISA and non-ERISA plan designs, administration and troubleshooting.

Average Calif. workers comp indemnity hits $66,922 in 2011: Institute

By: Roberto Ceniceros

Published May 04, 2012 - 1:57pm CST

OAKLAND, Calif.—The average cost of a California workers compensation indemnity claim edged up slightly to reach a record high of $66,922 for 2011, a California Workers' Compensation Institute bulletin states.

Excess commercial casualty insurers, brokers face systemic challenges: Panel

By: Matt Dunning

Published May 04, 2012 - 10:13am CST

NEW YORK—Excess commercial casualty insurers and brokers have several systemic challenges they must address in order to meet their clients' needs and their own growth objectives in 2012 and beyond, a panel of experts said Tuesday at Advisen Ltd.'s Casualty Insights Conference in New York.

Buyers struggling with coverage gaps, service shortfalls: Risk manager panel

By: Matt Dunning

Published May 03, 2012 - 2:07pm CST

NEW YORK—Though conditions in the commercial casualty insurance market remain generally favorable, buyers still struggle with significant coverage gaps and service shortfalls in addressing their companies' exposures, a panel of risk managers said Tuesday at Advisen Ltd.'s Casualty Insights Conference in New York.

Wellness, brain health firms partner on tech offering

By: Anna Gaynor

Published May 03, 2012 - 1:46pm CST

SAN FRANCISCO—Two San Francisco-based companies have partnered to combine employee wellness efforts with brain health.