Health Insurance
Hackers attack medical equipment provider, almost 2M people affected
Cybercriminals have attacked Apria Healthcare LLC, stealing the credit card information of nearly two million customers. The notice to affected clients on May 22nd stated that “an unauthorized third party” accessed select Apria systems storing personal information. Apria is a leading US home medical equipment delivery and clinical support provider. Reportedly, the attackers stole financial data,…
Read MoreCourt Decides Who Should Pay for Injured Worker’s Chronic Back Pain Treated with Medical Marijuana
When this injured worker self-weaned off opioids as a pain management medication, he turned to medical marijuana. The court had to decide who was responsible for payments.In 2006, Edward Appel suffered a work-related herniated disc while on the job as an employee for GWC Warranty Corporation. Appel went on to receive two lower back surgeries.…
Read MoreFlorida Insurance Agent Convicted in $6M Ponzi Scheme That Defrauded Investors
A federal jury has found a Sarasota insurance agent and financial consultant guilty of defrauding elderly Floridians out of $6 million, money that the victims believed was going to fund a life insurance startup known as FastLife. Phillip Roy Wasserman, 66, who is also a former lawyer, was convicted of wire fraud and mail fraud…
Read More34% of Workplace Injuries Occur in First Year on the Job: Travelers
More than a third of workplace injuries occur during employees’ first year on the job, regardless of age or industry experience, according to a new report from Travelers. In fact, an employee’s time spent in a particular role is one of the driving factors in injury frequency, according to Travelers 2023 Injury Impact Report, which…
Read MoreFrustration Grows Over Wait on OxyContin Maker’s Settlement
More than a year after OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma reached a tentative settlement over the toll of opioids that was accepted nearly universally by the groups suing the company – including thousands of people injured by the drug – money is still not rolling out. Parties waiting to finalize the deal are waiting for…
Read MoreVape Companies Suing Kinsale Insurance After Battery Coverage ‘Quietly’ Excluded
Four companies that sell vaping devices have filed a federal lawsuit against Kinsale Insurance Co., claiming the insurer dropped coverage for batteries but failed to fully inform the policyholders before denying a claim. If it goes to trial and appeal, the case could potentially help clarify insurers’ and insureds’ responsibilities when policy wording is…
Read MoreAmazon Worker Injuries Dip Last Year, but Higher Than 2020
Amazon’s total injury rate for warehouse workers took a dip last year, but injuries were still worse than they were in 2020, according to an analysis released Wednesday by a coalition of labor unions. The report, which was compiled by the Strategic Organizing Center and examines data Amazon has submitted to the Occupational Safety…
Read MoreAccuWeather: Storms May Have Delayed California’s Wildfire Season
The massive rainfall and snow California received this winter will likely delay the upcoming wildfire season for the state – though all that moisture is unlikely to curtail it much if at all, a wildfire report out today shows. The AccuWeather Fire Outlook 2003 report forecasts between 7,000 and 8,000 wildfires and between 400,000…
Read MoreStates Consider Ban on Cosmetics With ‘Forever Chemicals’
A growing number of state legislatures are considering bans on cosmetics and other consumer products that contain a group of synthetic, potentially harmful chemicals known as PFAS. In Vermont, the state Senate gave final approval this week to legislation that would prohibit manufacturers and suppliers from selling or distributing any cosmetics or menstrual products…
Read MoreIgnited by Pandemic Changes, Insurers Embraced Innovation
The pandemic kickstarted the new wave of accepting and using innovative systems and methods in the insurance industry. It opened eyes to the ways that innovations and technology could do more than just efficiently get the work done. While the pandemic presented more than its fair share of challenges, it also created opportunity and…
Read More