June is National Safety Month. This month highlights efforts that can prevent injuries and death inside and outside the workplace, helps provide learning opportunities for employees, allows employers to share their safety pride and gives employees the opportunity to pledge they will work safely. Preventable injury-related deaths are the fourth leading cause of death in...
Data breach litigation ramped up significantly in 2022, with more filings overall and filings in smaller data privacy events, according to BakerHostetler’s annual Data Security Incident Response Report. The law firm tracked a five-year trend showing a higher percentage of events resulting in at least one lawsuit—from four lawsuits out of 394 in 2018 up...
Nonprofit organizations operate to fulfill their missions, benefit the community and serve the public. They are essential for maintaining a thriving society and contribute greatly to health care, higher education, environmental stewardship, human services, religious services, arts and culture, and other vital services. However, in the months and years ahead, the nonprofit sector could face...
On May 1, 2023, the U.S. Department of Labor announced that OSHA started a National Emphasis Program (NEP) to prevent falls. OSHA states that falls continue to be the leading cause of fatal workplace injuries and one of the most frequently cited OSHA violations in the construction industry. The NEP went into effect on May...
Without a thorough evaluation of its business model, any manufacturer can be severely threatened by an economic downturn. While devising creative solutions to keep your business running despite unfavorable economic conditions, keep in mind that changes to your business can result in new liability exposure. Supply Chain Risks It’s no secret that the financial security...
What does inflation have to do with healthcare? As far as consumers are concerned, just about everything. The cost of healthcare is not immune to historic levels of inflation: A recent report by WTW predicts that global healthcare benefit costs will jump 10% in 2023. Coupled with rising consumer prices, and unaffordable healthcare can have troubling and swift...
Earthquakes cause $14.7 billion in damages and related losses on an annualized basis in the U.S., according to an updated estimate from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The updated figure, which is twice that of the previous annual estimate, reflects increasing property values, and the inclusion of the latest hazards...
It is essential to implement safety measures during trenching and excavation work to help prevent serious injuries and deaths. Especially considering the recent rise in fatalities and penalties involving this type of work, construction employers need to ensure they utilize proper risk management techniques. OSHA Penalties OSHA recently announced new enforcement guidance to deter employers...
The 2023 fire season is predicted to be relatively consistent with historical averages, with a slight increase in intensity, according to AccuWeather’s recently released 2023 US Wildfire Forecast. Between 60,000 to 75,000 wildfires are expected to occur, potentially burning 6.5 million to 8.25 million acres of land. These figures align with the average of 68,707...
A report from the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) examining countrywide medical cost trends revealed that health care facility services costs accounted for 40% of workers’ compensation expenses during 2021 and increased by an average of 3% throughout the past decade. Although specific trends varied by facility type, the report found that the two...