Voluntary abandonment is an interesting term that sometimes comes up in relation to workers’ compensation claims. The term usually came up when an employer offered, in good faith, an injured employee suitable alternative employment. If the employee accepted this offer, he/she could more quickly return to work and the employer could save on the claim.
In November, Governor DeWine appointed John Logue as the new Administrator/CEO of the Bureau of Workers Compensation. Earlier in his career, John worked for CompManagement and was the program administrator assigned to work with the OSBA/OASBO workers’ compensation program.
On April 11, the Board of Directors for the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) voted to return up to $1.6 billion to Ohio employers this spring in an effort to ease the economic impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on Ohio’s economy and business community.
The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) has, like most other governmental offices, required its staff to telework while continuing business operations. However, since many of BWC’s field operations involve face-to-face meetings or hearings, their processes and procedures have been modified. Most matters have been extended until April 30, 2020.
Along with a new year comes new obligations and requirements that schools must meet with respect to Workers Compensation. One of the easiest ways to stay up-to-date is by attending one of the upcoming SchoolComp workshops to hear the latest on workers compensation, rates, filing deadlines, retrospective and group requirements, unemployment, MCO and BWC updates, and safety training.
The Public Employment Risk Reduction Program (PERRP) recently adopted revisions to a number of rules, some of which directly impact public school districts. The 14 revisions become effective Jan. 1, 2019. While some of the changes are minor, a couple may directly impact district obligations.
