Reading Room

 At a recent hearing of the US Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, Senator Max Baucus presented a report revealing that the Federal government failed to take the appropriate action to declare Libby, Montana a public health emergency in 2002. The disregard of the federal government led to a lack of funding and manpower in cleaning up the asbestos contamination according to the Senator.

The efforts of the insurance industry to revive the previously fatally ill CMS reform legislation can be declared over and the life support disconnected following the Congressional actions to bailout Wall Street. The bill had been given a bounce, like a dead cat thrown against the ground, by the insurance industry, and some misinformed stakeholders, but economics and public opinion will not support the effort any longer.

Delay has always been a problem when injured workers need medical treatment.  Traditionally, insurance companies, especially in hard economic times, have sought to hold onto their money and not distribute benefits.

New Jersey’s workers’ compensation problems are far from over as the NJ State Commission of Investigation (SCI) has purportedly launched an investigation of the NJ Compensation Rating and Inspection Bureau. The NJ system became the center of media attention following a Star Ledger newspaper series reporting serious problems.

The escalating financial crisis of Lehman Brothers [stock down 94% Jan-Sept 2008], may have a major impact on workers’ compensation throughout the US. Over this weekend the financial gurus scheduled meetings in an effort to avoid a complete crash of Lehman Brothers. In the meantime, the waves of this potential economic meltdown are sending hurricane type surges throughout the US workers’ compensation system.
 

Yet again the basic theme of workers' compensation, "periodic payments," was reiterated by a Judge of Compensation. This philosophical premise, periodic payments, is the basic foundation upon which workers' compensation is structured and flies directly in the face of those who advance a legislative change to promote CMS workers' compensation set aside agreements.

Workers’ Compensation coverage is not immune from the economic realities of the market and injured workers again fail to lose big time as the economy falters

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) has established a resource on the Internet that provides a direct link to resources available concerning mesothelioma: treatment, prevention, genetics, causes, clinical trials, literature, statistics and research and related information.

The US Geological Survey has reported that NJ ranks 2nd highest in the number of naturally occurring asbestos sites (mines) in the Eastern US.

New York State workers’ compensation benefits have been expanded for 911 workers as a result legislation signed Governor Patterson. Under the prior law the registration period would have closed in August 208. The date has been extended to September 10, 2010.