Articles by Don Jergler

60% of Workers’ Spinal Fusion Claims Initially Reported as Strains: Study

A study on the use of spinal fusion surgeries in California workers’ compensation shows that in 60 percent of spinal fusion claims the initial report of injury was for a sprain or strain, a majority of the fusions occurred within …

1.8M Western U.S. Homes at Extreme or High Wildfire Risk

Things haven’t gone as bad as they could have so far in 2016 coming off last year’s record-setting wildfire season in the Western U.S., according to a report out today detailing wildfire risks to properties in the Western U.S. The …

Wearable Tech, Automated Vehicles Dominate Insurance Horizon

Imagine sitting at your desk writing a quote for an insurance policy and suddenly the lapel of your coat begins angrily buzzing, snapping you out of a daze and causing you to quickly straighten up and become alert. The midday …

Employee vs. Contractor Debate to Become Even Hotter

The employee vs. contractor debate has the potential to have a major impact on the insurance industry, according to a pair of experts speaking on the topic on last week at the annual Risk Management Society conference held in San …

Multiple California Wildfires Destroy More Than 2,000 Homes, Curb Insurer Appetites

A pair of massive California wildfires that have destroyed more than 2,000 structures are now considered among the most damaging fires in state history, and they could change the way insurers view risk or conduct underwriting in rural areas in …

Risk and Insurance Experts Predict Thanksgiving NFL Winners, Losers

Ah, Thanksgiving. A time for family, good meals and joy – unless your team epically fails on national television, stirring your gut into an acidic cauldron of turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce and mounting indigestion. It can be a risk to …

Fraud, SB 863 Highlights at California Workers’ Comp Conference

Rick Hudson was sitting at his booth at the California Workers’ Compensation & Risk Conference on Thursday scanning emails on his smartphone during a slow period when he was asked what the most significant change to his job has been …

UnitedHealth’s $173M Fine a Warning to P/C Insurers

A decision by California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones to fine UnitedHealth Group $173.6 million for violations having to do with the Unfair Business Practices Act, the Unfair Insurance Practice Act and unfair claims settlements may be a wakeup call for …

Montana and Arizona Only States Without Texting Laws

Arizona and Montana stand out as the only states without some form of texting and driving law, but some studies show there’s no evidence that laws intended to curb cellphone use behind the wheel reduce crashes. Fourty-four other states plus …

Firefighters Still Battling 8 San Diego Wildfires

Several ongoing fires around San Diego, Calif. that started early in the week have destroyed at least eight homes, an 18-unit condominium complex and two businesses. The fires have burned more than 10,000 acres, and are being battled by more …