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Labor

Insult to Injury

America’s Vanishing Worker Protections

Driven by big business and insurers, states nationwide are dismantling workers’ compensation, slashing benefits to injured workers and making it more difficult for them to get care. Meanwhile employers are paying the lowest rates for workers’ comp insurance since the 1970s.

Impact of Our Reporting
Caret

Insult to Injury

U.S. Labor Department: States Are Failing Injured Workers

A new Department of Labor report says cuts to state workers’ comp systems have left injured workers with inadequate benefits and raises the specter of federal oversight. The findings echo those of a ProPublica and NPR investigation last year.

Insult to Injury

Oklahoma’s Top Court: Companies Can’t Set Own Rules for Injured Workers

A national campaign led by Walmart, Lowe’s and other big companies to let employers opt out of workers’ comp insurance was dealt a blow after the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled such plans unconstitutional.

Insult to Injury

Corporate Campaign to Ditch Workers’ Comp Stalls

An Oklahoma commission ruled that a state law allowing companies to “opt out” of workers’ comp and write their own plans was unconstitutional while similar bills in other states lose steam.

Insult to Injury

State Lawmakers to Investigate Workers’ Comp Opt Out

In response to a ProPublica and NPR investigation, the National Conference of Insurance Legislators said it will look into an effort by some of the biggest names in corporate America to opt out of workers’ comp.

Insult to Injury

U.S. Lawmakers Call for More Oversight of Workers’ Comp

In response to a ProPublica and NPR investigation, members of Congress are urging the labor secretary to come up with a plan to protect injured workers and taxpayers.

Insult to Injury

Alabama Bill Would Increase Workers' Comp Benefits for Amputees

A proposal to nearly triple the maximum compensation for workers who lose a limb follows a ProPublica/NPR story that showed Alabama to have the lowest permanent partial disability benefits in the country.

Insult to Injury

California to Insurers: Don’t Use Workers’ Comp Law to Deny Approved Care

Concern over possible misuse of a 2012 workers’ comp law has led to warnings from state labor officials. A state senate committee will hold a hearing on the law Wednesday.

‘All of This Because Somebody Got Hurt at Work’

Tyson Foods’ Secret Recipe for Carving Up Workers’ Comp

Price Check: How Companies Value Body Parts

Inside Corporate America’s Campaign To Ditch Workers’ Comp

ProPublica Partners With Beacon to Promote Workers’ Comp Reporting

Injured Worker in ProPublica/NPR Story Testifies Before Illinois Legislature

California Bill Would Bar Insurers from Withdrawing Injured Workers' Care

California Workers’ Comp Law Gets Criticism, Praise at Senate Hearing

The Fallout of Workers’ Comp ‘Reforms’: 5 Tales of Harm

Insurance Information Institute Challenges Our Workers’ Comp Investigation. We Respond

California Announces Audit of Insurance Company That Took Away Home Health Aide

Podcast: Reporting On Workers’ Comp

OSHA Report Echoes ProPublica and NPR’s Workers’ Comp Findings

How Much Is Your Arm Worth? Depends On Where You Work

Workers’ Comp Benefits: How Much is a Limb Worth?

Methodology for Workers’ Comp Benefits: How Much is a Limb Worth?

Workers' Compensation Reforms by State

Employers Complain of Rising Premiums, But Workers’ Comp Is at 25-Year Low

The Demolition of Workers’ Comp

‘I Try to Forget’