California: Coming soon to a firm near you -- Crisis in workers comp

Sacramento Bee ^ | Feb 2, 2003 | Daniel Weintraub

[John Jorsett]

We interrupt the budget crisis to bring you this important policy alert: Another economic debacle is looming on the horizon. I know, California is supposed to have only one intractable problem at a time. We went from an electricity crisis that was forcing blackouts and utility insolvency to a fiscal crisis that could bankrupt the state.

[John Jorsett]

ping

[anniegetyourgun]

CA has had some of the most liberal ALJ's in the country, a more than duplicitous workforce, and public agencies don't do enough sub rosa work on claims ('cuz hey, it's 'our money' anyway). It's a wonder their WC system has collapsed under its own weight years ago.

[BurbankKarl]

CA is BS.

I get this bill last year, saying it is to pay for workers who werent covered by State Fund. Why on earth would I be paying for that? Dang DemocRATS! Holy Surcharge Batman.

[okie01]

More good news from the socialist paradise, I see.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Thanks for posting this!

More cleanup needed in sacramento!

calgov2002:

calgov2002: for old calgov2002 articles. 

calgov2002: for new calgov2002 articles. 

Other Bump Lists at: Free Republic Bump List Register

[balrog666]

When the correlation between worker injuries and workers comp costs becomes nil, small companies will be forced to close or ignore the law entirely.

Here comes a big boost to the underground economy in California!

[hang 'em]

Isn't Sen. Boxer's husband a worker's compensation lawyer? Liberals: everything they touch turns to crap.

[Lockbox]

Bruce Parks runs Tarts and Truffles, a Sacramento bakery he started 22 years ago. Last year he paid $18,000 in workers compensation premiums. This year his insurer says his rates will increase by $15,000, for the same number of workers. Just to pay that bill without losing ground, Parks will have to generate another $30,000 in sales this year.

A lifelong Democrat and former political fund-raiser, Parks says he can't fathom why the Democrats who control the Legislature don't see this as a problem.

Earth to Bruce, Earth to Bruce

[Liz]

No problema. Just look at me, I'm Juggler Gray. I can juggle all of Kali's troubles away.

[Grampa Dave]

We have too many trial lawyers in California. They donate too much money to their rat candidates, who then set up future expensive law suit conditions.

One can only fantasise about a world with bounties on trial lawyers with no limits on how many you can turn in for a rich bounty each day.

[tubebender]

Workmans comp is up 40% for us and will go up again soon. Our cost overall are up 18% from Sept to the end of Dec most of it employee related. Sales were up 7% for the same period but that included a dismal Dec when it rained 24" in 2 weeks. Quack Quack...

[Grampa Dave]

It is like these socialist/facist ba$tard$ in charge of legislation in Sacramento want to drive away every small, medium and large business except their chosen ones.

Italy and Germany did this in the late 1930's and 1940's until their head facists were shot or hung!

[Dr. Zoo]

I have a friend who had a small business (less than 100k per yr gross) and he was audited by WC. He was told one thing that made him think he would have a good rate, but some weeks later he got a letter telling him his rate was almost double what the auditor told him.

It was a scam.

WC for him was the last straw, he could not afford to be in business anymore, so he closed his business.

Since then I have talked to several people that have businesses tht bring in multi-million $'s annualy...gee they have not been audited for years.

I work with roofers now, and many of them are having financial problems , wht with the high cost of WC and Liability Ins...even when they have no claims.

It is interesting in Calif if you promise to go to Kaiser (an HMO that is quite unprofessional medically) you get a discount on your WC.

(good thing I don't exist, or I would probably get a "vizit"

[Joe Hadenuf]

Sub rosa, both privately and by the state will be increasing dramatically in the future, as I think they will have no choice......