Massachusetts High Court Sides with Worker in COVID-19 Compensation Case

COVID-19 Compensation Case

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) has issued a pivotal ruling in favor of Jeff Stacy, a utility worker who contracted COVID-19 while on the job in 2021. This decision reinforces how workers’ compensation law applies to pandemic-related claims, setting a potential benchmark for similar cases across the country. A Utility Worker in the Eye of the Pandemic Storm Jeff Stacy, a lineman for Unitil Corp., found himself at the center of this historic case. While much of Massachusetts was shut down under emergency orders, Stacy’s work was deemed essential,…

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New Data Reveals Alarming Injury Trends in Manufacturing and Hospitality Injuries

Injury Trends

Workplace Injury Trends 2024: Key Insights from Texas Mutual Texas Sees a 13% Decline in Serious Workplace Injuries Texas Mutual’s latest data reveals a noticeable 13% drop in serious workplace injury claims throughout 2024 compared to the previous year. This decrease reflects the success of focused safety measures across various industries, although there remain areas that demand urgent attention. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the trends, incidents, and proactive steps businesses can take to enhance workplace safety. Major Declines in Injury Claims by Industry The report highlights notable reductions in…

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Work-Related Stress Compensation Reform in New York – Understanding S.B. 755

S.B. 755 workers' compensation law

The Stress Debate and Who Really Deserves Compensation? The New York State Senate is set to deliberate on S.B. 755, a bill proposing significant amendments to the workers’ compensation law passed in December 2024. This 2024 statute opened a pathway for employees experiencing “extraordinary work-related stress” to file compensation claims, broadening access to mental health support in the workplace. However, S.B. 755 seeks to narrow this scope, limiting eligibility for such claims to first responders only. If adopted, the bill would focus on professions such as police officers, firefighters, paramedics,…

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Texas Legislature Considers Mandatory Workers Compensation Coverage for Construction Industry

Texas Legislature Considers Mandatory Workers Compensation Coverage

Texas Legislature Considers Mandatory Workers Compensation Coverage for Construction Industry As the Texas legislative session unfolds, lawmakers are set to debate several bills aimed at reforming the state’s workers compensation system. Of particular focus are S.B. 338 and H.B. 875, which propose making workers compensation coverage mandatory for contractors and subcontractors in the construction industry. These legislative efforts mark a significant shift in Texas, which is currently the only state in the U.S. that does not require employers to purchase workers compensation insurance. Current State of Workers Comp in Texas…

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Singapore’s Bold Move: Blocking Allianz’s $1.7 Billion Insurance Deal

Singapore Blocks Allianz

Singapore Blocks Allianz’s Proposed Acquisition of Income Insurance In a decisive move, the Singapore government has blocked Allianz SE’s proposed acquisition of a majority stake in Income Insurance Ltd., a deal valued at S$2.2 billion ($1.7 billion US). The decision comes after a public backlash and concerns over Income’s ability to continue fulfilling its social mission as a co-operative post-acquisition. Government Concerns Minister of Culture, Community and Youth, Edwin Tong, addressed parliament, stating that the transaction as it stands is not “in the public interest.” The acquisition would shift Income’s…

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Allstate’s $2 Billion Deal: What Investors and Policyholders Need to Know About the Big Sell-Off

Allstate's $2 Billion Deal: What Investors and Policyholders Need to Know About the Big Sell-Off

Allstate Divests Employer Voluntary Benefits Business for $2 Billion: Impact on Investors and Policyholders In a strategic move that sent ripples through the insurance sector, Allstate has sold its Employer Voluntary Benefits business to StanCorp Financial Group, known as The Standard, for $2 billion. This transaction marks the beginning of Allstate’s plan to divest its Allstate Health & Benefits units, including Employee Voluntary Benefits, Individual Health, and Group Health, in a bid to unlock their growth potential by merging them with companies having complementary strengths. The announcement has been met…

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Kansas governor signs workers compensation reform bill

Workers Compensation - Kansas Flag - Reform

Governor Kelly has signed bipartisan legislation Senate Bill 430 into law Kansas Governor Laura Kelly has signed Senate Bill 430, a bipartisan workers compensation overhaul bill meant to provide comprehensive updates to the laws in the state. Changes were broadly believed to be long overdue for the state “This legislation is a win for our workforce, our businesses, and organized labor,” said Kelly.  “The reforms in this legislation will create a more just and efficient workers compensation system that increases the benefits for injured workers while creating administrative efficiencies and…

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