The Texas Department of Insurance on February 11, 2011, released final disciplinary decisions for violations of Division of Workers’ Compensation rules. Among these fines were the following insurer violations:
On February 16, 2011, Doyle filed suit against American Zurich Insurance Company (Zurich) and its adjuster on behalf of an employee who was wrongfully denied workers’ compensation medical and income benefits. The employee, a long-time truck driver, injured his back in 2009 while loading his truck. Ultimately, the employee won his case in front of the Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation. In the meantime however, he was unable to have any medical treatment for his back due to Zurich’s denials, leading to a worsening of his condition.
John Gibson, a Lubbock, Texas workers’ compensation attorney, filed suit against the Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC), on February 21, 2011. Mr. Gibson is seeking a declaratory judgment, permitting him to continue the publication of his blog, dedicated to Texas workers’ compensation law. DWC had sent Mr. Gibson a cease-and-desist letter on February 7, 2011, that cited the Texas Labor Code in requesting him to stop the use of the words “Texas” along with either “Workers’ Compensation” or “Workers’ Comp.”
On March 4, 2011, Doyle filed a workers compensation bad faith suit against Liberty Mutual insurer Wausau Business Insurance Corporation and its adjuster on behalf of an employee who was injured on the job in June 2009.
The Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC), recently released its Biennial Report to the Texas Legislature. The report highlights what DWC considers “significant improvments in the system.” These “improvements” include the following: