Emily Holbrook does a stellar job hosting Cavalcade of Risk #164 at Risk Management Monitor. A sampling of recent posts on varied topics may tell you why Risk Management Monitor is on our regular reading list and one of our favorite blogs: The Formal Demands of a Somali Pirate, The 3 Most Curious Claims, and Insurance Claims from Colorado Wildfires at $450 Million and Growing.
Industry pulse – At propertycasualty360, Stephen Klingel offers an explanation of conflicting signals in the latest NCCI Workers Comp State of the Line report. He discusses why the market remains “worrisome” despite a number of positive developments. On the plus side, we see that claims frequency is down and written premium is up, but the industry’s reserves are deteriorating and the residual market is growing – indicators that bear watching. He cites claim frequency, the underwriting cycle. uncertainties related to healthcare and financial services reforms, and efforts to expand alternatives to Workers’ Comp as additional areas of concern that NCCI is monitoring.
Paid sick leave & workers comp study – A recent NIOSH-related study revealed that workers with paid sick leave were 28% less likely to report an occupational injury that needed medical care than workers without paid sick leave. Also, workers in high risk jobs appeared to benefit more. The survey encompassed 38,000 workers and was based on data collected by the National Health Interview Surveys from 2005 through 2008. While survey authors caution that the survey does not establish a a cause-and-effect relationship between paid sick leave and the incidence of workplace injuries, it does raise the issue that workers who do not have paid sick leave may feel economically pressured to work while sick, exposing them to greater likelihood of injury.
Right to safe workplaces – Kevin Jones raises the question of whether safe work is a basic or fundamental human right on the Australian SafetyAtWorkBlog. He raises this question both specifically for Australia, but also from a global perspective.
Healthcare & politics – Wondering about the healthcare implications of Romney’s vice presidential pick? Joe Paduda is on the case: At Managed Care Matters, he posts about Paul Ryan’s evolving stance on deficits and Medicare spending.
Healthcare workers and mass trauma – Dr. Camilla Sasson was on duty in the Emergency Department of the University of Colorado Hospital on the night of the Aurora shootings. She talks about her experiences that night on the RWJF Human Capital Blog, offering insight into the extreme stress that healthcare workers face during and after a mass casualty event – as well as how patients help the doctors heal.
Other news of note
- California Workers’ Comp Losses, Expenses Reach Over $12 Billion
- Black Lung Makes a Comeback, Underwriters Cough Nervously
- GAO report supports MSHA black lung proposal
- NJ case law: Thrift store volunteer not eligible for workers comp benefits
- CA case law: Worker’s loss-Of-consortium tort claim cannot proceed
- Direct Final Rule Issued by OSHA – Extends Cranes and Derricks Standard
- Eating and Beating at Your Local Red Lobster
- The Six Training Topics that Will Keep You Out of Court
- Stress and Health in Law Enforcement
- Examining Eye and Face Protection
