A recent police action resulting in workers’ compensation citations in Azusa, California shows us that, when it comes to investigating massage parlors, it truly takes a legal village. The police department in Azusa had apparently received complaints that some of the massage parlors within its jurisdiction were offering services above and beyond the traditional massage,…
New York Cop on Workers' Comp Gets Buffalo Wings Clipped
Yesterday it was announced that former Buffalo, NY police officer Patrick S. O'Mara, 52, pleaded guilty to wire fraud before Chief U.S. District Judge William M. Skretny. The charge, related to claims made regarding a workers’ compensation case, carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both. Meanwhile, comments he…
Return to Work 1, Return to Function 0
It was a lively and bruising discussion, but one well worth having. It occurred during a 3 hour session of the Disability Management and Return to Work Committee at last week's IAIABC forum, and the topic turned to a paper the committee hopes to complete this year. This paper is intended to lay the foundation…
Resume Writing as a Return to Work Tool – Thinking Outside the Box
I attended a presentation Thursday that was part of the Disability Management and Return to Work Committee presentation at the IAIABC. It was held in Couer d'Alene, ID as part of the Forum 2014 event held by the regulators organization. Vickie Kennedy, Assistant Director for Insurance Services for Washington State’s Department of Labor and…
There is a Potato in My Conference Bag
When it comes to conference Tchotchke, the International Association of Industrial Accident Boards and Commissions (IAIABC) has ratcheted up the standards this week at their 2014 Spring Forum in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Regular conference attendees will be very familiar with the “conference bag”; that item you get at check in containing a couple dead trees…
American Exceptionalism, Naked Cheesemakers and Medical Tourism in Workers' Comp: It ain't all Gouda
Last week I wrote an article outlining my opinion on Medical Tourism within workers’ compensation, and why I believed it would never really work for our industry. I had intended to write that as a “one off”; to speak my piece and move on, not really planning to address it again. However, follow up comments…
NY WCB: Turns Out Tina Fey Was A-OK
When there has been a mistake, people need to admit it. When some of us pounce on that mistake and gleefully whale away on it, we need to admit that, too. I wrote earlier this week about actress Tina Fey being charged a $79,000 fine for failing to carry required workers' compensation insurance. I had…
When it Comes to Workplace Safety, Alberta Thinks it has the Ticket
An article that ran in yesterdays CompNewsNetwork demonstrates a stark difference between workers’ compensation in a regulated yet competitive environment, versus a monopolistic one where the government essentially calls all the shots. It was a story about the training of Alberta, Canada's first Occupational Health and Safety Peace Officers. Don’t get too excited. “Peace Officer”…
Oh Fey, Can You See, Why the Comp Board Doth Cite?
While portraying Sarah Palin on Saturday Night Live she might have been able to see Russia from her house, but the actions of the New York Workers’ Compensation Board have indicated when it comes to protecting her employees, actress and comedian Tina Fey might not be able to see the forest for the trees. According…
Missouri Teachers Apparently Object to Being Shot on the Job
I can't say that I blame them, actually. Missouri legislators have mandated that teachers and students in that states public schools undergo “Active Shooter” drills, presumably to familiarize them with the concept of being shot. I suppose they call it the “Show Me State” for a reason. Teachers in St. Francois County, Missouri, have now…