Workers' comp bureau to pay $52 million in class-action lawsuit

[Omaha Steve]

Full story: http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/news/15074816.htm



Posted on Wed, Jul. 19, 2006
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Workers' comp bureau to pay $52 million in class-action lawsuit
ANDREW WELSH-HUGGINS
Associated Press

COLUMBUS, Ohio - The state insurance fund for injured workers said Wednesday it will pay $52 million to workers hurt on the job who won a class-action lawsuit that accused the agency of wrongly taking back payments for their injuries.

About 7,900 workers will receive the reimbursement for money taken under 1993 and 1995 laws that were later declared unconstitutional by the state Supreme Court.

Judge Michael Donnelly of Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court approved the payment process Wednesday after the Bureau of Workers' Compensation decided to drop further appeals. The bureau lost its case against the workers in December 2004.

William Mabe, the bureau's new administrator, decided that appealing the ruling was not appropriate given the agency's attempts to rebuild trust following an investment scandal that rocked the agency.

The decision "comes down to doing the right thing," Mabe said.

"Without question, we must be responsible and fair as we build a more equitable workers' compensation system for Ohio's employers and injured workers," he said. "Returning these moneys is another step in that direction."

[ChairmanAgnostic]

1. I just KNEW it had to involve Ohio.

where else?