Liberty Mutual Suffers 92% Loss In First Quarter Profits

Liberty Mutual reported that its 1st Quarter profits fell 92%.  The company sustained loss of net income. This it reported $28 Million and the same quarter last year it had reported $360 Million in income. Liberty Mutual sustained a private equity loss of $373 Million in the first quarter.

Advocates Lobby to Eliminate the Death Penalty in Workers' Compensation

Compensating dependents in the workers' compensation has always been problematic. The issue is that the system just can't make complex issues simple and hope that they just go away. 

Dependents are again advocating for the elimination of what appears as "the death penalty in workers' compensation". Workers' Compensation is a scheduled system of payments usually based on wages in effect at the of death capped by wages in effect at the time of employment. For the most part, this is ALWAYS lower than the wages paid to the worker when living. The problem is that in some jurisdictions as NJ, they never increased benefits due to inflation or with cost of living adjustments. Those dependents (post 12/31/1979) are caught in such a trap.

The Sweeney-Madden Bill would correct this injustice in New Jersey. The bill, S-785 would enact an increase effective July 1, 2011. As for the years gone bye and the failure to pay retroactive benefits, they will remain as a monument to an injustice.

FL Legislature Moves to Cap Attorney's Fees

In an action reseversing a prior court decision, the Florida legislature has passed legislation capping counsel fees in FL workers' compensation matters.

CDC Issues A Safety Alert For Laboratory Workers

The safety of laboratory workers involved in testing for the Swine Flu Virus (H1N1 Influenza Virus) is the subject of a alert issued by the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The guidance is aimed at laboratory workers who may be processing or performing diagnostic testing on clinical specimens from patients with suspected H1N1 influenza virus infection, or performing viral isolation.

NIOSH Warns Psychological & Social Support Necessary for Influenza Responders

Comparing the 911 Tragedy with a possible Flu Pandemic, NIOSH has issued an alert that Psychological and Social support for essential service workers may be required during an influenza pandemic.

"This document addresses the psychological and social ("psychosocial") needs of essential service workers during a severe2 influenza pandemic. Essential service workers may include health care workers, public health workers, first-responder organizations, and employees of public utilities, sanitation, transportation, and food and medicine supply-chain companies."

Diesel Emissions Causing Injury to Workers

Diesel exhaust continues to be a major health hazard for certain workers. The American Lung Association has reported that, "Truck drivers, dockworkers and railroad workers may face higher risk of death from lung cancer and COPD from breathing diesel emissions on the job. Studies found that these workers who inhaled diesel exhaust on the job were much more likely to die from lung cancer, COPD and heart disease."  

CMS Posts Link To Mandatory Reporting Website

CMS has now posted a link to the Section 111 Mandatory Reporting web site. Registration is required.

https://www.section111.cms.hhs.gov/MRA/LoginWarning.action