You are currently browsing the monthly archive for July, 2008.
The recent winner in Claims Journal’s Strange Claims Contest has been announced. The real-life claim recounted by the winning contestant involved the owner of an auto repair shop who always brought his dog to work. One day the dog suffered a leg injury while he was “at work.” Since the dog was “employed” as a watchdog, the shop owner submitted a workers’ comp claim on behalf of the dog.
We can only assume Fido failed to meet his burden of pwoof. 
Have your own strange claim story? Claims Journal encourages you to submit it here.
On August 19, 2008, the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce will host its 18th Annual Workers’ Compensation Seminar at the Galt House in Louisville, Kentucky. The seminar, aimed at human resources professionals, costs $299 for Chamber Members and $399 for non-members. The seminar will be repeated on September 23, 2008 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Lexington, Kentucky.
For more information or registration, contact Casey Adams at the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, (502) 695-4700, extension 8727, or visit www.kychamber.com.
The Teddy Awards are named after President Theodore Roosevelt
Risk & Insurance magazine is calling for nominations for the “Teddy Award,” which honors a company and a government or nonprofit organization for its efforts to reduce the number and cost of injuries to workers on-the-job.
The magazine explains that in 1908 President Theodore Roosevelt introduced and promoted the first important piece of workers’ compensation legislation to become law. The law, known as the Federal Employer’s Liability Act, covered workers in hazardous industries and employees of common carriers. The law prompted a movement among the states to enact their own workers’ compensation statutes, which formed the foundation of our modern day system. The deadline for the nominations is July 15, 2008.
More information on the awards can be found at:
http://www.riskandinsurance.com/story.jsp?storyId=15467901.
Details on how to enter the competition can be found at: http://www.riskandinsurance.com/userpdfs/2008RooseveltAwardInstructions.rtf .
The competition is sponsored by Specialty Risk Services.
Newly appointed ALJ, Ed Hays
The Department of Workers’ Claims reports that Governor Beshear has appointed Ed Hays as a workers’ compensation ALJ to replace former ALJ Marcel Smith, who recently resigned. Hays will complete Smith’s term, which will expire on December 31, 2011.
Hays, a Danville attorney, is one of several new judges recently appointed by the governor to serve as ALJs with the Department of Workers’ Claims.
The Southern Association of Workers’ Compensation Administrators (SAWCA) will hold its annual convention in Washington, D.C. on July 21st through July 25th at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill. The convention’s theme is “Workers’ Compensation Programs Insure $Capitol$ Success.”
SAWCA president Laura Freight says, “The General Sessions are planned to provide the most current information on workers’compensation and the Committee Chairs have prepared agendas with dynamic speakers to ensure that the meetings are informative and educational.”
Scheduled committees topics include the AMA’s 6th Edition, safety and loss prevention, claims administration, and other relevant topics for the workers’ compensation administrator.
AIG is the convention’s sponsor. To view the SAWCA convention brochure with registration costs and accommodation information click here.
A federal jury recently acquitted fen-phen attorney Melbourne Mills of defrauding clients of millions of dollars of fen-phen litigation settlement funds. You can view the video of Mills’ release from prison here. The fate of the two remaining defendants, Shirley Cunningham, Jr. and William Gallion, hangs in the balance as the jury verges on deadlock.
Click here to read a recent story on the trial from the Lexington Herald-Leader.
Click here to read the Courier Journal story on Mills’ release.
Postscript: Kypost.com reports a mistrial was subsequently declared as to the remaining defendants when the jury failed to arrive at a verdict following an eight day deliberation. Click here to read the kypost.com story.
With summer heat comes a greater risk for work-related injury or illness such as heat cramps, rashes, heat stroke or heat exhaustion. During these next few months, employers should be more cognizant of safety precautions for employees who are exposed to the summer heat. Visit this link at OSHA for a list of safety tips for working in the heat.
