Cowell Insurance Services, Inc.

11/01/2023

https://www.businessinsurance.com/article/20231031/NEWS08/912360742/Doctor-fees-represent-39-of-comp-medical-spending-NCCI-?utm_campaign=BI20231101WorkersComp&utm_medium=email&utm_source=ActiveCampaign&vgo_ee=NWsDaXYmrvEg9mP%2FUwpjTVIwL2aVWCtSfxQXqX7MCXSyCsNSUw3GJg05smvhzDrf4Q%3D%3D%3AsDQqQms1HI4ovCgHet9gqvecAu3p8ZVa

An average of 39% of medical costs in workers compensation go toward physician expenses, according to a report released Tuesday by the National Council on Compensation Insurance.

10/12/2023

https://www.businessinsurance.com/article/20231005/NEWS08/912360276/Injury-during-comp-treatment-session-ruled-compensable?utm_campaign=BI20231011WorkersComp&utm_medium=email&utm_source=ActiveCampaign&vgo_ee=3kmivSr91%2BhPoEfGgG1uxN1t7ngz0D4D8z0UyCJ4NVnTmnQCS1arAbPLxWnoXKG9yg%3D%3D%3A5qTGqHPi1nX2ESON3IhqIpTzCekyrGGm&utm_campaign=BI20231011WorkersComp&utm_medium=email&utm_source=ActiveCampaign&vgo_ee=3kmivSr91%2BhPoEfGgG1uxN1t7ngz0D4D8z0UyCJ4NVnTmnQCS1arAbPLxWnoXKG9yg%3D%3D%3A5qTGqHPi1nX2ESON3IhqIpTzCekyrGGm

A truck driver who was injured during a workers compensation treatment session for another injury is entitled to additional benefits, the Tennessee Court of Workers’ Compensation Claims ruled Wednesday.

10/11/2023

https://www.businessinsurance.com/article/20231010/NEWS08/912360340/California-bans-ma*****na-pre-employment-screening-?utm_campaign=BI20231011WorkersComp&utm_medium=email&utm_source=ActiveCampaign&vgo_ee=DOEkbcGA79jBrFcUisBg3yzW4MqG%2F8IdrsfettY5RJGjPHGqaDULAepmxqP1ruhlKQ%3D%3D%3Asy%2Ffnv39Hfp%2F3E9SICWIqIevqe%2BjUaRs&utm_campaign=BI20231011WorkersComp&utm_medium=email&utm_source=ActiveCampaign&vgo_ee=DOEkbcGA79jBrFcUisBg3yzW4MqG%2F8IdrsfettY5RJGjPHGqaDULAepmxqP1ruhlKQ%3D%3D%3Asy%2Ffnv39Hfp%2F3E9SICWIqIevqe%2BjUaRs

California employers are no longer allowed to inquire about a job applicant’s past ma*****na use under a bill signed into law on Saturday.

09/26/2023

https://www.businessinsurance.com/article/20230920/NEWS08/912359950/Grocery-store-employee-death-was-workers-comp-exclusive-Court-

The family of a grocery store employee killed after being struck by a vehicle during a work break cannot sue the company for wrongful death because the injury and death were covered under workers compensation, a California appeals court ruled Tuesday.

09/06/2023

https://www.businessinsurance.com/article/20230906/NEWS08/912359656/Workplace-violence-bill-raises-worker-safety-concerns-related-to-retail-theft?utm_campaign=BI20230906WorkersComp&utm_medium=email&utm_source=ActiveCampaign&vgo_ee=hhSm7YDCe%2FbLSmKKZooOSX34egPSWEoD720bDxpoQAvaaQ2%2BGc1HT5Qzoqc0FR1l2g%3D%3D%3AWLUnt1fxbTorQT93LqPg%2FkbqDFnOPY28&utm_campaign=BI20230906WorkersComp&utm_medium=email&utm_source=ActiveCampaign&vgo_ee=hhSm7YDCe%2FbLSmKKZooOSX34egPSWEoD720bDxpoQAvaaQ2%2BGc1HT5Qzoqc0FR1l2g%3D%3D%3AWLUnt1fxbTorQT93LqPg%2FkbqDFnOPY28

Retailers are reporting rising incidents of theft as regulators aim to make workplaces safe from violence — two facets of business life that caused much haggling in California over a pending bill that would have made it illegal for retailers to require workers to stop shoplifters.

09/04/2023

08/30/2023

https://www.businessinsurance.com/article/20230830/NEWS08/912359536/Suit-over-school-shooting-puts-exclusive-remedy-in-spotlight?utm_campaign=BI20230830WorkersComp&utm_medium=email&utm_source=ActiveCampaign&vgo_ee=kF66c4lMAdCmIkExDeZMuV2yKhOspiiWUVTvpWC%2Fz%2FZn47GuACW0k0tYRltyJVo3vA%3D%3D%3ASssAq6nY1sGQJoOgkzLTIM0D9neNlSc0&utm_campaign=BI20230830WorkersComp&utm_medium=email&utm_source=ActiveCampaign&vgo_ee=kF66c4lMAdCmIkExDeZMuV2yKhOspiiWUVTvpWC%2Fz%2FZn47GuACW0k0tYRltyJVo3vA%3D%3D%3ASssAq6nY1sGQJoOgkzLTIM0D9neNlSc0

Increasing school violence across the country raises questions about whether educators who are injured and eligible for workers compensation can sue their employers.

08/21/2023

Just a reminder that the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) has scheduled this year’s Brake Safety Week for Aug. 20-26 with a focus on brake lining/pad violations.

During Brake Safety Week, commercial motor vehicle inspectors highlight the importance of brake systems by conducting inspections of their components and removing commercial motor vehicles found to have brake-related out-of-service violations from our roadways until those violations are corrected.

Throughout Brake Safety Week, CVSA-certified inspectors will conduct their usual inspections; however, in addition, they will be reporting brake-related inspection and violation data to the Alliance. CVSA will compile that data and publish a press release this fall with the results.

“The focus of this year’s Brake Safety Week is on the condition of the brake lining and pad,” said CVSA President Maj. Chris Nordloh with the Texas Department of Public Safety. “Brake lining and pad issues may result in vehicle violations and could affect a motor carrier’s safety rating.”

When inspectors conduct the brake portion of a Level I, IV or V Inspection, they will:

Check for missing, non-functioning, loose or cracked parts.

Check for contaminated, worn, cracked and missing linings or pads.

Check for S-cam flipover.

Listen for audible air leaks around brake components and lines.

Check that slack adjusters are the same length (from center of S-cam to center of clevis pin) and the air chambers on each axle are the same size.

Ensure the brake system maintains air pressure between 90-100 psi (620-690 kPa) and measure pushrod travel.

Inspect for non-manufactured holes (e.g., rust holes, holes created by rubbing or friction, etc.) and broken springs in the spring brake housing section of the parking brake.

Inspect required brake system warning devices, such as anti-lock braking system (ABS) malfunction lamp(s) and low air-pressure warning devices.

Inspect the tractor protection system, including the bleedback system on the trailer.

Ensure the breakaway system is operable on the trailer.

Brake safety awareness, education and outreach are major elements of the Brake Safety Week campaign. CVSA has outlined the brake-system inspection procedure (noted above) so that drivers and motor carriers know exactly what inspectors will be checking during roadside inspections. This transparency aims to remind drivers and motor carriers to take proactive steps to ensure their commercial motor vehicles are safe and compliant with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. Improperly installed or poorly maintained brake systems can reduce the braking capacity and stopping distance of trucks or buses, which poses a serious safety risk.

08/16/2023

https://www.businessinsurance.com/article/20230816/NEWS08/912359243/Automatic-gratuities-in-hospitality-to-affect-workers-comp-premiums?utm_campaign=BI20230816WorkersComp&utm_medium=email&utm_source=ActiveCampaign&vgo_ee=AIUAP4Vi3k69N6j8T9%2BKNi05ptY%2Fd7313%2B%2BNruKiB22TZnRR4tIeyZPJ%2F%2F0FeC2L1A%3D%3D%3AREAFS32NxxyzGWPGqatGLm9Trh993xkF&utm_campaign=BI20230816WorkersComp&utm_medium=email&utm_source=ActiveCampaign&vgo_ee=AIUAP4Vi3k69N6j8T9%2BKNi05ptY%2Fd7313%2B%2BNruKiB22TZnRR4tIeyZPJ%2F%2F0FeC2L1A%3D%3D%3AREAFS32NxxyzGWPGqatGLm9Trh993xkF

The controversial trend of tacking on automatic tips, or “service charges,” to customer bills will likely have a trickle-down effect on workers compensation premiums, which are likely to increase for some employers, according to experts.

08/14/2023

https://www.iamagazine.com/markets/the-drive-toward-ai-in-the-commercial-auto-insurance-market?__hstc=79369803.b862b2192b24b08835b179d3a9d728a7.1654645102697.1692011627252.1692023944894.391&__hssc=79369803.9.1692023944894&__hsfp=3262127164&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=270210122&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_eoSqdLOGriO2BIKXxmb6OHNXxhdzTo53ISEk7n3gLYYzEdjknRLPY5V25A1Tm2MOhbB6fUYGw01gVrNzp-p_cfiDKHIKpavlN07XNuvY8NlBh2xY&utm_content=270210122&utm_source=hs_email

08/08/2023

Come see us at the 28th Annual Missouri Division of Workers' Compensation Educational Seminar at Tan-Tar-A Conference Center Osage Beach, MO.

08/08/2023

https://www.businessinsurance.com/article/20230808/NEWS06/912359082/SEC-cyber-reporting-rule-presents-compliance,-insurance-complexities?utm_campaign=BI20230808RiskManagementOne&utm_medium=email&utm_source=ActiveCampaign&vgo_ee=JefbfHxN7gJORlG3alIwJL6XvG5Gc3IbfkI2tfa9TbD2n4%2FYnS5sY5YAXyTEaxdr3A%3D%3D%3A80vEGIZWDN5KgZpb3KNpMpv9bHrV7a0f&utm_campaign=BI20230808RiskManagementOne&utm_medium=email&utm_source=ActiveCampaign&vgo_ee=JefbfHxN7gJORlG3alIwJL6XvG5Gc3IbfkI2tfa9TbD2n4%2FYnS5sY5YAXyTEaxdr3A%3D%3D%3A80vEGIZWDN5KgZpb3KNpMpv9bHrV7a0f

Businesses will face challenges complying with a cybersecurity rule issued by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission late last month that gives them just four business days to report material cyber breaches, experts say.