In 2011, 3,415 deaths and 17,500 injuries were caused by fires in the U.S., according to newly released statistics by the U.S. Fire Administration. The agency noted that those that were low income, living in the South,  and aged 50 … Source: Claims Journal

Like a prize fighter waiting for the opportunity to land the right punch, Special Investigative Units (SIU) investigate questionable cases with the goal of shutting down a fraudulent claim or scheme. Such focus can lead to a concentration of effort … Source: Claims Journal

A change to the state system for paying medical bills and lost wages for injured workers in Kansas has some fearing big lawsuits and others looking forward to cost savings. Starting Jan. 1, the state began rating injuries using an … Source: Claims Journal

Colorado is signing on to a national effort to reduce traffic deaths dramatically – all the way to zero. Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper plans to tout the effort Monday afternoon at the Capitol. Six years ago the national Governors Highway … Source: Claims Journal

A former owner of Freedom Industries pleaded guilty Monday to federal Clean Water Act violations stemming from last year’s chemical spill in Charleston. William Tis, 60, faces up to a year in prison when sentenced June 22 in U.S. District … Source: Claims Journal

The General Assembly is revisiting whether to grant workers’ compensation coverage for certain first responders suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, such as those who responded to the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Following a couple years of consecutive … Source: Claims Journal

A reformulation of OxyContin that makes it harder to abuse has curtailed the drug’s illicit use. But some 25 percent of drug abusers entering rehab said they still abused the prescription painkiller despite package labeling that emphasizes its abuse-deterrent properties, … Source: Claims Journal

The families of nine people killed in the Newtown elementary school shooting have filed lawsuits against the estate of the gunman’s mother. The lawsuits contend Nancy Lanza failed to properly secure her legally owned Bushmaster AR-15 rifle, which her troubled … Source: Claims Journal

An effort to improve some teen drivers’ road safety by limiting their number of passengers is having little impact in Iowa, because the majority of parents are signing waivers to opt their kids out of the requirement. According to data … Source: Claims Journal

A new private contractor is being hired to oversee claims processing and loss prevention services for Louisiana’s self-insurance program. The Office of Risk Management announced Friday that Sedgwick Claims Management Services Inc. was awarded a three-year contract that begins July … Source: Claims Journal