Workers’ compensation systems in the U.S. date back to the early 1900s – the first comprehensive law protecting injured workers was passed in Wisconsin in 1911. By mid-century, all states had introduced legislation that began the framework for today’…
The frequency of litigation in liability insurance claims is increasing incrementally as impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic subside. While litigation remains a small percentage of overall claim volume, the cost of resolving those claims is disproportio…
The Workers’ Compensation Institute (WCI) will celebrate the 77th Annual Workers’ Compensation Educational Conference and 34th Safety & Health Conference in Orlando, Florida August 20-23. An array of stakeholders representing all facets of the indust…
We’ve known it all along, but it took a global pandemic to drive the lesson home: Resiliency and adaptability are the cornerstones of a successful risk management program. At this week’s RISKWORLD®, the 2023 RIMS conference and exhibition, we had the…
Workers’ compensation’s original premise, the “Grand Bargain”, has remained consistent since its inception in the early 20th century. There have been exceptions and variations to the definition of disease and injury coverage, types of benefits and to…
The Workers’ Compensation Institute (WCI) will celebrate the 76th Annual Workers’ Compensation Educational Conference and the 33rd Safety & Health Conference in Orlando, Florida August 21-24. An array of stakeholders representing all facets of the in…
You may remember the days when claim reporting lag times, introduction of medical cost containment, and assessment of soft tissue injuries were common conversation drivers for claims professionals. Despite the host of new intricacies and nuances, the…
As the battle against COVID-19 rages on, vaccinations have become a front-line conversation. The workers’ compensation implications must be addressed, as there aren’t yet any specific laws or court decisions that can guide COVID-19 vaccine-related si…
Today’s COVID-19 environment continues to present unique questions within the workers’ compensation industry. Initially, questions focused on compensability of what some qualify as an “ordinary disease of life.” Many states enacted presumption laws o…
Short takes on emerging industry issues: COVID-19 rebuttable presumption laws and state changes, and a paid family and medical leave program update
The COVID-19 environment has generated renewed conversations around compensability presumptions. Some argue that broadening workers’ compensation coverage beyond what are employment related risks for which employers have no ability to control or prev…
Sedgwick's Chief Claims Officer writes about how the onset of the coronavirus pandemic has thrown workers' compensation claims and the return to work process into uncertainty.
Sedgwick's Max Koonce authored this article
Sedgwick's Max Koonce was interviewed for this article
Find out what this former court of appeals justice and senior director of risk management for Walmart thinks about the industry as he settles into his new position as Sedgwick’s chief claims officer.