Alabama Worker's Compensation Rates Some of the Lowest in Country

Alabama has probably the toughest worst worker’s compensation laws for an injured worker. We have some of the lowest payouts for injuries that are based on rates set in the 1980s. A recent case has come up in our courts that struck down some of the key elements of these laws. Those issues are currently on appeal. For an interesting read on some of the extremely low levels of compensation in Alabama, read this story posted on al.com recently:

http://www.al.com/business/index.ssf/2017/06/how_much_is_a_leg_worth_in_ala.html

Have a Safe 4th of July Weekend

Please be careful out there on the roads this long holiday weekend. The National Safety Council, an organization formed in 1913 and is a nonpolitical group that does not contribute to or support any political party or candidate, calculates that 582 people may be killed on the roads during the upcoming 4th of July holiday period. They also cited that an additional 66,900 may be seriously injured in crashes. This is the highest estimate the Council has issued since 2006 for a four-day July 4th holiday period.

Attentive driving, coupled with putting down your smart phone while driving, can help make the roads out there safer. Safe travels for all of those out there who are hitting the highways and roads this weekend. 

Anthem Reaches Settlement Over Data Breach Lawsuits

Anthem, which some estimate to be the largest health insurer in the country, has agreed to settle litigation over hacking in 2015 that compromised about 79 million people's personal information. The settlement amount is reported to be for $115 million, making the deal the largest settlement ever for a data breach. The settlement must still be approved by U.S. District Judge Lucy Koh in San Jose, California, who is presiding over the case. Over one-hundred lawsuits filed against Anthem were consolidated in Judge Koh’s court.

The money will go to pay for two years of credit monitoring for people affected by the data breach. Victims are believed to include current and former customers of Anthem and of other insurers affiliated with Anthem through the national Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.

The credit monitoring in the settlement is in addition to the two years of credit monitoring Anthem offered victims when it announced the breach in February 2015. In February 2015 an unknown hacker had accessed a database containing personal information, including names, dates of birth, social security numbers, home addresses, email addresses, and employment and income information. The attack supposedly did not compromise credit card information or medical information.

The breach is just one of a series of high-profile data breaches over the last several years. Other large corporations that were hacked include Target, which agreed to pay $18.5 million to settle claims, and Home Depot which agreed to pay at least $19.5 million to consumers last year.