Five Things You Need to Know: 3/29, Wednesday Edition

1) Iowa State Rep. Writes In His Approval of House File 518  

Iowa State Rep. Peter Cownie has written in his approval of House File 518 or the "workers' comp bill" as its been coined. He wrote for The Des Moines Register this week, saying, "...workers’ compensation laws remain important for a number of reasons. However, there absolutely have to be safeguards in place to prevent abuse and there has to be balance. House File 518 strikes that balance, and I am proud to support the amended version that passed the Iowa House last week..." As the bill heads to Gov. Terry Branstad's desk, in-depth WorkersCompensation.com coverage from this week is available here.  

2) MS Republican Lawmaker to Join Workers' Comp Group 

Mississippi Rep. Mark Formby has been confirmed to the state's three-member Workers' Compensation Commission, according to an Associated Press article featured in The Daily Progress. "The state Senate voted unanimously Tuesday to approve Rep. Mark Formby of Picayune for a commission term that begins April 15 and runs through 2022," according to the article. "Formby must resign from the House seat he has held since 1993. Republican Gov. Phil Bryant will call a special election to fill the District 108 seat in Pearl River County."  

3) IL Woman Sues Automobile Manufacturer for Wrongful Termination  

East St. Louis, IL resident Vanessa Black has filed a complaint against Toyota Boshoku America, Inc., alleging she was terminated after filing for workers' compensation benefits, writes Noddy A. Fernandez of the Madison County Record. "According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that on Aug. 3, 2015, she filed a workers' compensation claim for repetitive trauma injuries arising out of employment," writes Fernandez. "She was later discharged from her employment by reason of her assertion of her rights under the Illinois Workers Compensation Act." Black requests a trial-by-jury; a $75,000-plus judgement and court costs. 

4) Metal Fabricator to Move from IL to WI   

Antioch, IL metal fabricator Prestige Metals will move to Bristol, WI perhaps due to its closeness to the Chicago area and local tax incentive packages, according to an Illinois Policy article. Although Prestige hasn't announced the reason for the move, Illinois has some of the highest property taxes in the U.S., and "...the highest workers' compensation costs in the region, which can be especially burdensome for smaller manufacturers like Prestige Metals, which only employs 25 people," according to the article. Other companies that have made a move to Wisconsin include Vonco Products LLC and Colbert Packaging.  

5) Just Two Days Left to Nominate The Best Blogs in Workers' Comp

There are only two days left to nominate your favorite blogs in the 2nd Annual Workers' Compensation Best Blogs recognition program. Workers' compensation professionals, employers and injured workers are encouraged to nominate blogs that they feel provide excellent information and entertainment for the industry.

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