Monthly Archives: <span>July 2022</span>

Viewpoint: Third Parties Create a Medicare Headache for Insurers and Employers

Dealing with Medicare-related issues in a workers’ compensation claim has never been anyone’s idea of a “good time” from the employer and insurer’s perspective. From the challenges Medicare creates with settlement, to the uncertainty faced when submitting Medicare Set-Asides (MSAs) …

Freight Broker Sues Liberty Mutual for ‘Excessive’ Work Comp Premiums

An Illinois freight broker has filed a lawsuit accusing Liberty Mutual of overcharging it by demanding payment of workers’ compensation premiums for independent contractors who are ineligible for benefits. Virnich Corp., which does business in West Chicago, says in a …

Jury Gets Flint Water Case About Liability for Engineers

DETROIT (AP) — Jurors heard closing arguments Thursday in the only trial to arise thus far from the Flint water crisis, a dispute over whether two engineering firms should be held partially responsible for the city’s lead contamination in 2014-15. …

FEMA Report: Flood Insurance Hikes Will Drive 1M from Market

ST. LOUIS (AP) — When questioned by members of Congress, the Federal Emergency Management Agency said its new update to the nation’s flood insurance program will prompt more people to sign up for coverage, even though many will pay more …

Hotel Rises as Mexico Beach Recovers from Hurricane Michael

MEXICO BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Standing on the deck of the new Driftwood Inn, 31/2 years after Hurricane Michael obliterated the old one, Tom Wood spoke of the months after the storm. One of his daughters had urged him and …

North Carolina Signs Off on Testing at Plant Fire Site

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) _ A North Carolina environmental agency has approved a plan to test the soil and groundwater for contamination at the site of a massive fertilizer-plant fire in January. Montrose Engineering and Geology laid out its plans in …

Japan OKs Preparation Step for Fukushima Plant Water Release

TOKYO (AP) — Japan’s nuclear regulator on Friday approved details of a planned release of treated radioactive wastewater from the wrecked Fukushima nuclear power plant into the sea next year. The approval by the Nuclear Regulation Authority will enable Tokyo …

Governor Declares Emergency over Wildfire Near Yosemite

WAWONA, Calif. (AP) — There was no containment Sunday of a destructive wildfire near Yosemite National Park that has grown into one of California’s biggest blazes of the year and forced thousands of residents to flee remote mountain communities. Some …

Investigation: Boston Train Fire Caused by Loose Metal Panel

SOMERVILLE, Mass. (AP) — A fire on a Boston-area public transit train that prompted one passenger to jump into a river and others to scramble out of windows appears to have been caused by a metal panel on the train’s …

Auto Claimants Waiting Longer for Collision Repairs

Auto claimants are waiting longer for collision repairs — 4.5 days longer this spring compared to the same period last year, according to a report released Friday by Enterprise Rent-a-Car. Enterprise extrapolated repair times by tracking the average length of …