November 2016 - Frank H. Furman, Inc.Frank H. Furman, Inc.

30 November 2016 Allison Sorenson 0 Comments Category: Workers' Compensation

Important Current Update to Florida Workers’ Compensation Rate Filing

Please find the below press release from the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation for further information: Office Files Notice of Appeal in Workers’ Compensation Court Case TALLAHASSEE, Fla. –The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (Office) has filed a Notice of Appeal with the First District Court of Appeal in the Fee v. National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI)/Office court case. This action comes in response to a court order issued on November 23, 2016, which invalidated the 14.5% overall combined statewide average rate increase approved by the Office on October 5, […]

28 November 2016 Allison Sorenson 0 Comments Category: Workers' Compensation

Judge Halts Florida’s 14.5% Workers’ Compensation Rate Increase

A Florida circuit judge halts 14.5% workers’ compensation rate increase set for December 1, because of violations of Florida’s Sunshine Laws. On November 23, Leon Country Circuit Court Judge Karen Gievers ruled that the rate increase negotiated between NCCI and the state regulators within the Office of Insurance (OIR) cannot take effect, NCCI must hand over documents requested by the plaintiff in the case. NCCI has stated they have complied with applicable open meeting and other Sunshine Laws on transparency. NCCI says they will appeal the ruling. “NCCI is very disappointed […]

23 November 2016 Allison Sorenson 0 Comments Category: Uncategorized

New Overtime Rule Blocked By Federal Judge

Rule Will Not Take Effect On December 1. Yesterday, a federal judge in Texas blocked the U.S. Department of Labor’s (USDOL’s) overtime rule from taking effect on December 1, handing an eleventh-hour victory to employers across the country. The regulation was scheduled to take effect on Dec. 1. It would raise the salary limit below which workers automatically qualified for overtime pay to $47,476 from $23,660. The judge, Amos L. Mazzant III of the Eastern District of Texas, ruled that the Obama administration had exceeded its authority by raising the overtime […]

18 November 2016 Allison Sorenson 0 Comments Category: Workers' Compensation

The Story Your Mod Reveals

For many employers, workers’ compensation insurance is all about one number—the premium quoted. Understandably, employers want to pay the lowest amount possible on this mandatory coverage. While some brokers try to compete on a low bid, those who do miss the chance to educate employers on how their mod affects their premium, and how lowering their mod through targeted improvements in safety, hiring, return to work and other areas will ultimately improve both their direct and indirect workers’ compensation costs. There’s much more to workers’ compensation than price. Let us show […]

18 November 2016 Allison Sorenson 0 Comments Category: OSHA, Workers' Compensation

Preparing for an OSHA Visit

Use the guidelines below to help prepare for an OSHA inspection. What triggers an OSHA inspection? An OSHA inspection can be triggered by any of the following: Planned inspection Complaint National/local emphasis program (e.g., lead, amputations) Site-specific targeting program (high incident rate sites) Follow-up on a previous inspection Imminent danger Fatality What comprises an OSHA inspection? Recordkeeping OSHA 300 logs from the last five years (or records of work-related injuries and illnesses) OSHA 301 forms or incident reports Reports of fatalities and catastrophic events Annual summaries for the last five […]

18 November 2016 Allison Sorenson 0 Comments Category: Uncategorized

Update on Florida Workers’ Comp Market

The average claimant attorney fee per award for the period May through September of 2016 increased by 22% compared to the same period May through September of 2015. Note: There may be multiple attorney fee awards per case. The number of claimant attorney fee awards for the period May through September 2016 increased by 5% compared to the same period May through September 2015. The total dollars of claimant attorney fees awarded for the period May through September of 2016 increased by 27% compared to the same period May through […]