In just seven years, the number of marijuana-positive drivers increased 50 percent, according to the 2013-2014 National Roadside Survey of Alcohol & Drug Use by Drivers. On the flip side, the percentage of alcohol-positive drivers decreased 77 percent between 1973 … Source: Claims Journal

A Texas doctor wrote unnecessary prescriptions for powerful drugs that contributed to the overdose deaths of at least seven people over a four-year period, according to a federal indictment unsealed Wednesday. Howard Gregg Diamond, 56, was arrested Tuesday on charges … Source: Claims Journal

Like their brethren in property/casualty and life/health, workers’ compensation claims professionals write a lot. They write to physicians, lawyers, claimants, employers and many others. Like so many others in the world of claims, many workers’ comp people mistakenly think that … Source: Claims Journal

Marsh Appoints Durvasula Chief Digital Officer, Chief Data Analytics Officer Marsh announced the appointment of Sastry Durvasula to the newly created role of chief digital officer and chief data & analytics officer, effective August 14, 2017. He will be based … Source: Claims Journal

Catastrophic injuries impact the severity and complexity of workers’ compensation claims. In a two part Inside Workers’ Comp podcast series, Genex’ Laney Bond discussed how catastrophic workplace injuries can derail claims. Bond, national catastrophic program manager for Genex, outlined four … Source: Claims Journal

With many states making changes to rules governing reimbursement for physician-dispensed pharmaceuticals, the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) released a study today that sheds a light on the impact of price-focused reforms on the frequency and costs of physician-dispensed prescriptions. … Source: Claims Journal

A grand jury has found police chases in Los Angeles, Calif., are causing “unnecessary bystander injuries and deaths” and recommended police and sheriff’s officers undergo additional training to reduce the likelihood of crashes during pursuits, according to a report released … Source: Claims Journal

Assurant Announces $1.36 Billion 2017 Property Catastrophe Reinsurance Program Assurant, Inc., a global provider of risk management solutions, announced it has finalized a $1.36 billion property catastrophe reinsurance program, reducing the company’s financial exposure and enhancing its ability to protect … Source: Claims Journal

Takata is adding 2.7 million vehicles from Ford, Nissan and Mazda to the long list of those being recalled to replace potentially dangerous airbag inflators. The inflators are a new type that previously was thought to be safe. Vehicles affected … Source: Claims Journal

As a result of the types of workers’ compensation accidents and injuries that occur, case managers often see a significant number of chronic pain cases vulnerable to opioid abuse and addiction. A recent study found that three out of every … Source: Claims Journal