Behavorial Health Care Integral to a Worker’s Recovery Post-Injury

As concerns about behavioral health problems increased in recent years, the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) heard through system stakeholder interviews that early screening for psychosocial risk factors is important to prevent delayed recovery. “The COVID-19 pandemic put a spotlight on the importance of behavioral health,” said John Ruser, president and CEO of WCRI. “In… Continue reading Behavorial Health Care Integral to a Worker’s Recovery Post-Injury

RLI Must Cover $2.4M Company Settlement to Injured Trucker

The Sixth Circuit ruled that an RLI Corp. unit must pay $2.4 million toward an Ohio trucking company’s settlement with an injured driver after the company failed to obtain workers’ compensation insurance for him. According to the US Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, the case hinges on RLI Insurance Co.’s obligation to cover… Continue reading RLI Must Cover $2.4M Company Settlement to Injured Trucker

AM Best Revises Outlook to Stable for U.S. Workers’ Compensation Insurance Industry

AM Best on Commercial Auto market

AM Best has revised its market segment outlook to stable from negative for the U.S. workers’ compensation insurance market, according to a new report. The Best’s Market Segment Report, titled, “Market Segment Outlook: U.S. Workers’ Compensation,” states that the revision is based on the following factors: Unexpectedly muted impacted of the COVID-19 pandemic; Solid risk-adjusted… Continue reading AM Best Revises Outlook to Stable for U.S. Workers’ Compensation Insurance Industry

Work Injuries Tied to Heat Are Vastly Undercounted, Study Finds

Electrician wipes his forehead after emotional stress on hard work outdoors on power line.

Extreme heat causes many times more workplace injuries than official records capture, and those injuries are concentrated among the poorest workers, new research suggests, the latest evidence of how climate change worsens inequality. Hotter days don’t just mean more cases of heat stroke, but also injuries from falling, being struck by vehicles or mishandling machinery,… Continue reading Work Injuries Tied to Heat Are Vastly Undercounted, Study Finds

Massachusetts Tops COVID-Related Workers’ Comp Claims in 27-State Study

Workers wear protective face masks for safety in machine industrial factory.

As the coronavirus ravaged the country last spring and sick or quarantined employees filed workers’ compensation claims, Massachusetts experienced the highest share of COVID-related claims among 27 states studied by the Workers Compensation Research Institute in Cambridge. In a report released Thursday, the WCRI found that from April to June, 42 percent of all claims… Continue reading Massachusetts Tops COVID-Related Workers’ Comp Claims in 27-State Study

U.S. Workers Comp Market to Report Strong Profitability in 2020: Fitch Ratings

Fitch Ratings has recently released a report that shows how the US workers compensation insurance market is positioned to report strong profitability in 2020. Despite considerable economic challenges from the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the declines in economic activity led to reduced claims frequency that are currently outpacing pandemic-related losses. However, it’s been predicted by Fitch… Continue reading U.S. Workers Comp Market to Report Strong Profitability in 2020: Fitch Ratings

Travelers Introduces IndustryEdge® Program for Professional Services

Hispanic businesswoman smiles while showing a document to a male associate.

The Travelers Companies, Inc. today announced the launch of IndustryEdge for Professional Services. This tailored business insurance solution offers coverages including general liability, property, commercial auto, workers compensation, professional liability and cyber to help customers mitigate industry-specific risks such as data breaches, theft and lawsuits. IndustryEdge for Professional Services is specially designed to meet the… Continue reading Travelers Introduces IndustryEdge® Program for Professional Services

Average Premium Renewal Rates Continue to Harden Across Nearly All Major Commercial Lines

Best rankings on net premiums

IVANS®, a division of Applied Systems®, today announced the August results of the IVANS Index™, the insurance industry’s premium renewal rate index. Year over year, all lines of business experienced an increase in average premium renewal rate, except Workers’ Compensation, which saw a negative change in premium. Month over month, August premium renewal rates experienced… Continue reading Average Premium Renewal Rates Continue to Harden Across Nearly All Major Commercial Lines