workers comp
December 3, 2024
Stable Outlook Continues for the U.S. Commercial Lines Market
“Persistently strong” underwriting performance and solid investment returns prompted a continued stable outlook for the U.S. commercial lines sector, according to a market segment report from AM Best. “Our expectation is that the U.S. commercial lines segment will remain profitable in the aggregate and will be resilient in the face of near- and longer-term challenges,”...
November 26, 2024
California Employment Laws Effective Jan. 1, 2025
Most new bills in California become effective on Jan. 1 of the following year once approved by the state Legislature and the state governor (though some exceptions are possible for emergency measures and when the bills specifically appoint a different effective date). This Legal Update provides an overview of labor and employment laws California adopted...
November 14, 2024
Employer-reported Nonfatal Workplace Injuries and Illnesses Down 8.4%
Private industry employers reported an 8.4% decrease in nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses in 2023 compared to 2022, according to the most recent data available from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. There were 2.6 million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses reported in 2023. The decrease was driven by a 56.6% drop in illnesses in...
October 29, 2024
Study Finds Extreme Temperatures Increase Workers’ Compensation Claims
The National Council of Compensation Insurance (NCCI) recently published a new study showing the relationship between injury frequency and weather conditions as they relate to workers’ compensation claims. In the study, the NCCI found that employees file 10% more workers’ compensation claims on hot and cold days than on days with moderate temperatures. The data...
October 15, 2024
OSHA Announces Top 10 Violations for 2024
OSHA recently revealed its top 10 most frequently cited standards in the 2024 fiscal year using preliminary data. This information is valuable for businesses of all kinds, as it helps them identify common exposures that affect their workforce and gives them the information they need to plan their compliance programs. For 2024, the top 10...
September 26, 2024
Proposed OSHA Heat Injury and Illness Prevention Standard
OSHA recently published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the Federal Register regarding heat injury and illness prevention. If finalized, the new standard would apply to all employers conducting indoor and outdoor work in all general industry, construction, maritime and agricultural sectors where OSHA has jurisdiction, subject to limited exceptions. It would also be the...
September 16, 2024
Ensuring Proper Workplace Ergonomics
October is recognized as National Ergonomics Month. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the purpose of this yearly initiative is to raise awareness of and help reduce occupational injuries caused by poor workstation design. Ergonomics is the science of fitting a workspace to an individual’s needs to increase efficiency while reducing...
July 25, 2024
CAL/OSHA Indoor Heat Requirements Update
On June 20, 2024, the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board approved California Code of Regulations, Title 8, section 3396, “Heat Illness Prevention in Indoor Places of Employment”. This standard applies to most workplaces where the indoor temperature reaches 82°F. It establishes required safety measures for indoor workplaces to prevent worker exposure to risk of heat...
July 22, 2024
California Enacts New Workers’ Compensation Poster Requirements
On July 15, 2024, California enacted Assembly Bill 1870, requiring employers to notify injured workers that they can consult with a licensed attorney regarding their rights under workers’ compensation laws. This law becomes effective on Jan. 1, 2025. Overview of the New Posting Requirements California’s workers’ compensation laws generally require covered employers to post a notice...
July 9, 2024
2024 Midyear Market Outlook: Workers’ Compensation Insurance
Profitable underwriting results have generated favorable conditions across the workers’ compensation insurance market for nearly a decade. According to the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI), the segment produced combined ratios of 84.5 and 84.9 in 2022 and 2023, respectively, demonstrating continued profitability. Industry experts initially reported that reserve redundancies stemming from reduced presumptive liability...