March 24, 2006
Bill That Would Have Eliminated SC Second Injury Fund Scaled Back
The South Carolina Workers' Compensation Reform Bill, HB 4427, recently advanced through the Business and Commerce subcommittee with much of the discussion focused on the South Carolina Second Injury Fund. The bill was supported by Governor Mark Sanford who stated that workers' compensation reform would be one of his priorities for this year's legislative session. Initially, the bill called for a repeal of the South Carolina Second Injury Fund, but that provision was revised calling instead for a sunset in 2012.
The elimination of the Second Injury Fund was one of several proposed changes that were intended to cut the costs of workers' compensation in the state. Business groups disagreed as to whether the elimination of the fund would save money or not. Last week, a House Committee stripped the bill of most of its provisions, including a decision to keep the Second Injury Fund with some restrictions.
According to a news story in the Island Packet:
"This legislation scales the Second Injury Fund back to handle only the most severe types of injuries and disabilities. If the losses- $253 million was assessed last year- don't fall to $8 million by 2012, the program would be eliminated."
According to Associated Press reports, the legislation will not be enacted unless it will generate 10 percent or higher savings over the first five years. The recommended changes will now be studied by an independent consultant.
March 10, 2006
Update on IRG's Presentation for Lorman Educational Services
Mark J. Nevils, Esq., Director of National Claims for Insurance Recovery Group, will be a panel presenter at Lorman Educational Services' May 24th Seminar titled "How To File Second Injury Fund Claims". The seminar will be held at The Yard, 1211 South Mammoth Road in Manchester, NH from 8:30am-4:30pm and will qualify for continuing education credit. This seminar is designed to help minimize the expense and headache of workers' compensation claims and improve compliance.
If you will not be attending the above seminar, but would like to learn more about Insurance Recovery Group's Second Injury Fund Recovery services, please give us a call at (800) 798-5474 for more information.
March 2, 2006
IRG To Attend Regional Meetings In March
There are several regional meetings scheduled for the month of March that will focus on some very interesting
workers' compensation topics.
On March 16th, the Massachusetts Chapter of the Risk and Insurance Management Society (RIMS) will hold it's Annual Spring Conference, titled "The Changing Nature Of The Risks We Face." The conference will be held at Bentley College in Waltham, Massachusetts from 8:30am-2:30pm. You can register for the conference at the Massachusetts RIMS site.
On March 21st, the New England Chapter of the National Association of Subrogation Professionals (NASP) is holding an educational meeting in Dover, New Hampshire. IRG will be one of the sponsors of the meeting. Topics include maximizing recoveries for subrogation specialists, locating hard-to-find defendants, and subrogation opportunities in weather-related claims. To learn more about the meeting or to register at NASP.
On Tuesday March 28th, the Business Council of New York State (BCNYS) will be holding their annual Small Business Day at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center, in Albany. Small Business Day is entirely devoted to the small business community in New York State, and provides a forum to let elected officials and policy makers know what is on the mind of the small business owner. To register for this meeting, or to learn more, visit BCNYS.
IRG's Director of Business Development, Candace LaChapelle, will be attending all these meetings. If you would like to meet and discuss opportunities for your organization, give us a call at (800) 798-5474.
In fact, if you'd like to explore whether our services could benefit your organization, but you won't be attending any of these meetings, call anyway - we'd like to hear from you!