Newsletter Sign-up

Employers and injured workers are seeing some benefits from legislative reforms, according to a new study. More significant changes may be several years off.

Flu season is officially here, and with it are tips to help prevent the spread of it in the workplace. While the peak of flu season typically is January and February, it can begin as early as October and last through May, say experts.

Nearly all states have a prescription drug monitoring program. However, they are much less effective in combating prescription drug abuse than they could be, according to a new study.

A state insurance trade association credits legislative reforms for the "state with the most improvement in premium costs since 2010."

Ohio's workers' comp system has its first-ever formulary to limit prescriptions to injured workers. In its first few months, the plan has reduced prescribed doses of narcotics by 1.1 million, or 12 percent, according to preliminary information.

Researchers find Latino workers are increasingly sustaining more traumatic workplace injuries than other workers.

The State Corporation Commission scheduled a hearing on Oct. 16 to consider a request filed by the National Council on Compensation Insurance to adjust the premium levels charged for workers' compensation insurance.

Some 4,609 workers died from on-the-job incidents in 2011. While that figure is down from the 2010 statistics, it does not necessarily tell the whole story.

There is mounting evidence that work-family stress is related to higher absenteeism, lower performance, and higher job and family stress. New research points to significant links to occupational safety and health and work-family stress, according to the Oregon Healthy Workforce Center.

A model law aimed at mitigating opioid misuse in the workers' comp system is in the development stage. The International Association of Industrial Accident Boards and Commission's medical issues committee has drafted language to help jurisdictions deal with the issue.

The California bureau retracted its proposed 12.6 percent increase in pure premium rates "given the unusually high level of uncertainty surrounding S.B. 863 ... the Workers' Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau is not recommending a January 1, 2013, increase in the advisory pure premium rate level."

Lost costs in Indiana's workers' comp system will increase by 4.3 percent in January. The Indiana Department of Insurance approved the increase, which results in a 5 percent hike in the overall premium level and the overall rate level.

Efforts in Massachusetts and Texas aimed at curbing the misuse of opioids in the worker' comp system seem to be working, according to a new study examining the longer term use of narcotics in 21 jurisdictions.

Professional football players face an increased risk of dying from neurodegenerative disease, suggests a new study. While the study was limited to former NFL players, it could raise concerns about the dangers of athletes and others who suffer repeated concussions.

Experience, trend, benefits, and expenses are the four components cited for NCCI's proposed workers' comp rate hike in Connecticut.

A new national survey shows a reduction in the rate of nonmedical prescription drug use among young adults.