California's Volatile Workers' Compensation Insurance Market


Book Description

Since partial deregulation of insurance rates in 1995, the California workers' compensation insurance market has been very volatile. For reasons that go beyond price deregulation, there have been dramatic swings in insurers' underwriting profits and the share of coverage written by private insurance carriers, and a substantial number of insurers, including some of the largest market participants, have failed. The price that California employers have paid for workers' compensation insurance has been volatile since 1995 as well, continuing the considerable variation that occurred in earlier years. This book identifies and examines factors that contributed to the market volatility and the large number of insolvencies following price deregulation. It also examines the regulatory system that oversees the workers' compensation market and how the California Department of Insurance responded to the market turmoil that followed the move to open rating. It makes recommendations that aim to reduce market volatility and the frequency of insolvencies while realizing the benefits of a competitive market.




Informational Hearing on the Division of Workers' Compensation


Book Description

Hearing asks why the Division failed to update the 2005 Permanent Disability Rating Schedule as mandated by law, and when they were going to fulfill that requirement.




The Truth About Carpal Tunnel Syndrome


Book Description

It can start in any number of ways: A legal secretary notices a strange buzzing in her palm. It soon spreads to a fiery ache across her entire upper body. Within a few months, she becomes totally disabled. Trapped in the medical and legal systems without any answers, she desperately attempts to regain her health and her livelihood. Fifteen percent of Americans suffer from pain associated with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, but only 5 percent ever receive that diagnosis. Medical science does not agree on what causes it or even if it exists. Technology has caused incidents to skyrocket, making nearly everyone susceptible—even teenagers and children. It is the number one occupational illness in the United States, and the most common cause of physical disability in the world, costing approximately $850 billion a year in this country alone. The Truth About Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a compelling patient account of this controversial injury. Using layman’s terms, the book describes why it’s so difficult to treat, how the author learned to manage hers, and how the medical and legal systems work in conflict to those suffering such injuries. Offering hope to sufferers and their loved ones, this book captures the reality of carpal tunnel syndrome and suggests ways for dealing not just with the injury but with the systems in place to deal with the losses associated with carpal tunnel syndrome.




Annual Report


Book Description




The Construction Chart Book


Book Description

The Construction Chart Book presents the most complete data available on all facets of the U.S. construction industry: economic, demographic, employment/income, education/training, and safety and health issues. The book presents this information in a series of 50 topics, each with a description of the subject matter and corresponding charts and graphs. The contents of The Construction Chart Book are relevant to owners, contractors, unions, workers, and other organizations affiliated with the construction industry, such as health providers and workers compensation insurance companies, as well as researchers, economists, trainers, safety and health professionals, and industry observers.







The Future of the Public's Health in the 21st Century


Book Description

The anthrax incidents following the 9/11 terrorist attacks put the spotlight on the nation's public health agencies, placing it under an unprecedented scrutiny that added new dimensions to the complex issues considered in this report. The Future of the Public's Health in the 21st Century reaffirms the vision of Healthy People 2010, and outlines a systems approach to assuring the nation's health in practice, research, and policy. This approach focuses on joining the unique resources and perspectives of diverse sectors and entities and challenges these groups to work in a concerted, strategic way to promote and protect the public's health. Focusing on diverse partnerships as the framework for public health, the book discusses: The need for a shift from an individual to a population-based approach in practice, research, policy, and community engagement. The status of the governmental public health infrastructure and what needs to be improved, including its interface with the health care delivery system. The roles nongovernment actors, such as academia, business, local communities and the media can play in creating a healthy nation. Providing an accessible analysis, this book will be important to public health policy-makers and practitioners, business and community leaders, health advocates, educators and journalists.




Occupational Safety and Health for Public Safety Employees


Book Description

Police officers, firefighters, and other public safety workers face exceptionally high rates of injury and fatality relative to the general workforce. This document provides an analysis of the risk factors associated with different aspects of public safety occupations, to help policymakers in their efforts to improve the health and safety of these employees.