Workers’ Comp Amidst the Casinos

I recently spent a weekend in Las Vegas and still could not escape the insurance world.

When I boarded the plane for the flight over there, I figured some 48 hours without thoughts of insurance policies, mergers and acquisitions, ratings, and that messy world of workers’ compensation. Surely, I could escape the industry for some two days of relaxation. You guessed it!

While taking a break from the slot machines, I took a local newspaper down to the pool, and figured I’d read and catch some rays for an hour or two.

It wasn’t long before my eyes scanned an article talking about how businesses are leaving California left and right, and in many instances, due largely to the high employer costs of workers’ comp. No, I was determined not to read or think insurance for 48 hours, but like a true reporter, I couldn’t put down the article. Had to read it from front to back.

In this issue of Insurance Journal Southeast, we take a look at a pair of states in our region that are watching and awaiting reforms in their respective workers’ comp systems.

Cecil Pearce, vice president of the Southeast region for the American Insurance Association (AIA), talks about how Florida has attempted to reform its system in our “Parting Shots” column (page 46). As Pearce notes, some impatient folks are looking to do away with the reforms. In Pearce’s mind and those of others, not so fast.

In a discussion (page 37) with Florida’s Chief Financial Officer, Tom Gallagher, we look at, among other topics, the status of the Sunshine State’s workers’ comp system and how things appear to be improving.

We also journey over to the Volunteer State and talk Tennessee workers’ comp (page 8) with several officials familiar with the system. Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen provides his thoughts (page 41) in a speech he gave earlier this year on the subject.
So, when I finished my pool time basking in the Las Vegas sun, I had learned even a little more about workers’ comp. I guess once a reporter, always a reporter.

I know I haven’t gone over the edge yet, however, because I went back to the slots after the pool. Having seen how I did at the slots, I probably would have been better off looking for more articles on workers’ comp.

We hope you like your Insurance Journal Southeast issue, and we’ll talk to you soon.