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News, trends and analysis in employment law, HR, safety & workers' comp

Showing posts for: Washington

Sep 14 2017
WashingtonWorkers’ Comp

Wage Replacement is Not a Start-Up Fund: Employee Faces Charges for Operating Insurance Business

Workers’ Comp exists for a good reason: to aid employees when they have been hurt on the job. It’s a type of insurance that protects not only employees, but employers. But like any type of insurance, it’s subject to fraud. In a recent case involving workers' comp, insurance was actually what helped bring charges of…

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Aug 23 2017
Leave LawsWashington

New paid family and medical leave insurance program coming to Washington

The insurance program is funded by premiums paid by workers and employers and will be administered by the Employment Security Department (ESD), similar to unemployment insurance. Although there are still many issues to be decided, employers should begin familiarizing themselves with the law. For now, here’s what employers need to know: Preemption: The law prohibits…

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Aug 15 2017
DisabilityLeave LawsOregon

9/26/17 Advanced Leave & Accommodations Management: Navigating the Legal Maze

Legal and Legislative Update/Compliance Experienced HR professionals know that a classroom understanding of employment laws does not compare to real world experience handling injured, ill, and/or troubled workers. Join employment attorneys Josephine Ko and Kandis Sells, for an informative, advanced dialogue on best practices on time off, reasonable accommodation, light duty, and related rights and…

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Aug 15 2017
WashingtonWorkers’ Comp

$167k saved by Washington manufacturer, Vigilant member

Tenacity Pays Off: Vigilant Retro Group Member Saves $167k, Tough Claim Closes When the going gets tough with our Workers’ Comp Retro Group member claims, Vigilant digs in.   Take the case of a worker at a Washington manufacturer who suffered a full rotator cuff tear on his right shoulder. Two surgeries, two years, and…

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Jul 19 2017
Safety and HealthWashingtonWorkers’ Comp

Christmas in Summer – Retro Refund Checks Delivered!

It never gets old. The thrill of delivering refund checks to Vigilant’s Retro Group members is topped only by the delight our members get from receiving them. Last month our safety managers distributed checks to our Washington manufacturers—our 33rd year of returning some of their hard-earned money and well-spent investment. Reduce Your Experience Mod Rating…

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Jun 08 2017
WashingtonWorkers’ Comp

5 Reasons Early Return-to-Work Leads to Better Results

Let’s put one workplace myth to rest right now: an injured employee who returns to work in a light duty position isn’t going to bust the morale of fellow co-workers. Period. Seeing their co-worker back on the road to recovery by performing lighter tasks and transitioning back to full duties will more than likely increase…

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May 25 2017
WashingtonWorkers’ Comp

Safety Violations Cost Washington Company More Than $642K

After a series of inspections, the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) recently fined a roofing and building company $642,000 for 21 safety violations, including exposing workers to potential falls from more than 30 feet high. L&I discovered eight violations of fall protection rules for employees working 10 or more feet off the…

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May 10 2017
WashingtonWorkers’ Comp

10 Signs a Workers’ Comp Claim is Going to Cost You

1.    A claim is filed by a difficult employee If you have a difficult employee, chances are they are going to be a difficult injured employee. Be pro-active with clear performance expectations and deal with any behavior and performance challenges early. If a claim is filed, treat the worker the same as anyone else, with…

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Apr 27 2017
Q&ASafety and HealthWashington

Q&A: Can we discipline for failure to promptly report an injury?

Answer: Ask the employee why she didn’t report the injury when it happened. Your ability to discipline will depend on when she became aware of the injury, and whether any barriers prevented her from reporting. For example, if she admits that she felt a sharp pain when picking up a heavy load, then she knew…

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Apr 13 2017
WashingtonWorkers’ Comp

Workers’ comp time loss days reduced by 37%

Vigilant’s commitment to reducing claim costs for our Workers’ Comp Retro Group is paying off—big time. We’re pleased to announce that our Retro Group just hit a huge milestone by reducing the number of time loss days by 37 percent compared to the same point last year. That’s equivalent to eight days less per claim…

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Mar 30 2017
WashingtonWorkers’ Comp

$200k-claim cost avoided by Vigilant retro member

It All Adds Up: Vigilant Saves Lumber Manufacturer More Than $200K in Workers’ Comp Claim When it comes to saving money with Vigilant’s Workers’ Comp Retro Group, it’s all about the numbers. And we have some pretty impressive ones to share from a recent case that involved one of our members, a Washington lumber manufacturer:…

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Feb 20 2017
Safety and HealthWashington

Washington L&I expands reporting of motor vehicle accidents

Washington’s Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) has issued new rules stating that all work-related motor vehicle accidents that result in amputation, loss of an eye, in-patient hospitalization, or fatality must be promptly reported to the agency. Previously, L&I allowed an exception for accidents that occurred on a public street or highway, as long as…

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