Encinitas, CA - Work Loss Data Institute (WLDI) announces the release of the much-anticipated 2009 State Report Cards for Workers' Comp, using the most current data available at this time. The report cards help employers, insurers, TPA's, state governments and consultants answer the questions, "Who is doing well and why?"

      WLDI's State Report Cards are based on data from OSHA Form 300's and 200's, which cover all OSHA recordable injuries and illnesses and provide the basis for rating state-by-state workers' compensation performance. The 2009 release adds four more years worth of data (2003-2006) to the rankings, which makes for a total of seven years of data since it includes statistics collected in the last publication, which was released in 2004.

US Map by Most Recent Grades

US Tier Rankings by State

SOURCE: 2009 Work Loss Data Institute

      We mainly think of an AOE/COE investigation as a means to determine whether the claimed injury or disability of an employee is industrially caused, and if it appears to be genuine. Such an investigation is a vital and necessary tool but it can also help in additional areas. As long as the AOE/COE investigator is being paid to be at the employer and/or employee location, the more things that can be done with that opportunity, the more "bang-for-buck" you can squeeze out of that expense. Here are some areas that the investigator can explore, to extract as much savings as possible for the file:

      Subrogation - An AOE/COE investigator can conduct a subrogation investigation, as applicable, concurrent with the AOE/COE investigation. The investigator will usually be at the place of employment, and can observe the workplace area where the injury occurred, and be alert to any sources of subrogation recovery. He or she can then collect information, photographs, documentation and witness statements while memories and evidence are both still fresh.

      San Bernardino County is diverse in terms of geography and includes mountains over 10,000 feet, some of the hottest deserts in the country, forests, lakes and everything in between. Many of its residents are scattered in lightly populated communities, a greater challenge to the investigator than any of the geographic features. Both aspects of America's largest county came into play in this investigation.

      The subject had been collecting worker's compensation benefits for several years. His claim included the assertion of injuries from head to toe with specific restrictions for lifting, bending, stooping, range of motion and standing for long periods of time.

      Our subject lived in a mountain community near a golf course, so I had to make myself almost invisible to prevent aroused suspicion.

Read the full article here.