Denver Workers' Compensation Lawyer: Mack Babcock

(303) 683-5033 FREE CONSULT 4600 S Ulster St.
Suite 800, Denver CO 80237
  • Our Firm
    • Our Mission
    • Injury Attorney Profiles
    • How Representation Works
  • Practice Areas
    • Workers’ Compensation / Work Injuries
    • Car Accidents
    • Truck Accidents
    • Motorcycle Accidents
    • Drunk Driving Accidents
    • Pedestrian Accidents
    • Injured Truckers and Cab Drivers
    • Slip and Falls (Premises Liability)
    • Insurance Disputes
    • Wrongful Death
  • Reviews
  • News
  • Resources
    • Legal Library
    • Workers’ Compensation Guide
    • Scholarships
  • Locations
  • Contact
Personal Injury Attorneys (Home) › Attorney Blog › Workers' Compensation › Colorado Workers’ Compensation Insurer of Last Resort Takes Position on Legislative Proposals

Colorado Workers’ Compensation Insurer of Last Resort Takes Position on Legislative Proposals

November 18, 2009

On November 10th, the full Executive Committee of the Colorado General Assembly voted to send seven bills aimed at reforming the Colorado workers’ compensation insurer of last resort, Pinnacol Assurance, to the full Colorado General Assembly for its consideration in the 2010 session that begins in January.

Last week, the company’s board of directors voted to support two of the bills and oppose the other five. The proposed legislation comes on the heels of the Pinnacol Interim Committee’s hearings into the company’s practices.

Their recommendations must go through the standard legislative process before becoming law.

Pinnacol Assurance supports the following Colorado workers’ compensation reform proposals:

1.    Bill A – Colorado Workers’ Compensation Accountability

At the conclusion of a claim, a limited number of injured workers will be given the opportunity to complete a survey that will include questions about overall satisfaction, courtesy and the quickness of medical care delivery and claim resolution.
Companies will have to report survey results to the Division of Workers’ Compensation.

2.    Bill G – Colorado Workers’ Compensation Claims Process Brochure

Requires the employer or their workers’ compensation carrier to provide injured workers with a brochure describing their rights to speedy medical treatment, benefit payment, how the claims process works and contact information of different entities.

However, the Pinnacol board voted to oppose the other five bills on grounds that it will harm their competiveness and drive up prices of Colorado workers’ compensation insurance for small businesses. They believe the following bills will pose a major roadblock to the company’s future success.

•    Bill B – Colorado Workers’ Compensation Policyholder Protection Act of 2010
•    Bill C –  Colorado Workers’ Compensation Policyholder Protection Act of 2010
•    Bill D – Pinnacol Assurance Board of Directors
•    Bill E – Colorado Workers’ Compensation Benefits Knowing Penalty
•    Bill F – Colorado Workers’ Compensation Conflicts of Interest

These bills represent an effort to limit the company’s reserves, double penalties for wrongful denial of claims and prohibit bonuses for employees that deny claims. Pinnacol board chair Gary Johnson claims these bills wrongly infringe on the entire workers’ compensation industry and is beyond the authority of the General Assembly.

“These bills have the potential to drive up workers’ compensation costs in Colorado and others are redundant, as well as an inappropriate intrusion of the legislature into the operations of a company that, by statute, is directed to operate as a mutual insurance company,” says Gary Johnson, chairman of Pinacaol’s board of directors.

Bookmark the Colorado workers’ compensation knowledge center and blog and check back often for updates on how each of these bills is making their way through the General Assembly early next year.

Related Resources

  • How Do Colorado Workers Get Hurt?
    How Do Colorado Workers Get Hurt?
  • Mack Babcock Discusses Colorado HB 1089 On Work Comp Central
    Mack Babcock Discusses Colorado HB 1089 On Work Comp Central
  • Mack Babcock Presents on Workers’ Compensation and COVID-19
    Mack Babcock Presents on Workers’ Compensation and COVID-19

Filed Under: Workers' Compensation Tagged With: Colorado workers' compensation laws, workers' comp insurance

5-star review image
There when nobody else. was.
Workers Compensation  |  Aurora
Represented worker for denied claim for injuries to right shoulder resolving issues in the claim and obtaining payment to injured worker.
2020-10-22
"I called 10 other law firms about my Workman's Comp case and was told on the phone that they ..."
Ralph, Verified Customer
5-star review image
Work injury
Workers Compensation  |  Denver
Retained by worker injured working on an oil rig and obtained an increase in wage loss benefits, necessary medical treatment for his back, and a final settlement at the end.
2016-04-24
"I had a back injury I had a good experience with this law firm "
Ct, Verified Customer
5-star review image
The Babcock Law firm is a great team.
Workers Compensation  |  Colorado Springs
Represented after 30 foot fall to ground. Facilitated a change of physician, treatment and end of case issues, and settlement.
2017-04-16
"The Babcock Law firm handled my case with great Expertise. They were very informative and helpful. They are ..."
Leon, Verified Customer
Related Articles from our Knowledge Center
Workers Compensation
When You're Injured
  • How to File a Work Injury Claim
  • Reporting a Work-Related Injury or Condition
  • Workers' Compensation Overview
Obtaining Treatment & Benefits
  • Workers’ Compensation for Law Enforcement Officers
  • Reasons Why Temporary Disability Benefits Can Be Terminated in Your Workers’ Compensation Case
  • Workers' Compensation Case Timeline
Work Injury Prevention, General Information
  • How Forced Arbitration Leaves Employees Helpless
  • Combustible Dust: An Explosive Work Hazard
  • 10 Common Workplace Injuries
View All Workers Comp Articles

Blog Categories

  • Auto Accidents
  • Community
  • DUI/DWAI
  • Firm News
  • General
  • Insurance Disputes
  • Personal Injury
  • Premises Liability
  • Preventing Injury
  • Product/Safety Recalls
  • Workers' Compensation
  • Wrongful Death

Personal Injury
Practice Areas

Car Accidents Truck Accidents Motorcycle Accidents Drunk Driving Accidents Pedestrian Accidents Workers' Comp / Work Injuries Injured Truckers / Cab Drivers Slip & Falls (Premises Liability) Insurance Disputes Wrongful Death

Resources

Blog Contact Us Legal Library Workers' Compensation Guide Firm News
Association Badges
Association Badges
(303) 683-5033
The Babcock Law Firm
Denver Workers' Compensation Lawyer and Personal Injury Attorney Mack Babcock
4600 S Ulster Street, Suite 800 Denver, CO 80237 United States

Personal injury
practice areas

  • Car Accidents
  • Truck Accidents
  • Motorcycle Accidents
  • Drunk Driving Accidents
  • Pedestrian Accidents
  • Workers' Comp / Work Injuries
  • Injured Truckers / Cab Drivers
  • Slip & Falls (Premises Liability)
  • Insurance Disputes
  • Wrongful Death

Resources

  • Blog
  • Legal Library
  • Workers' Compensation Guide
  • Firm News

Free eBooks

  • Colorado Workers' Comp Guide
  • Colorado Car Accident Guide

Our firm

  • Firm Mission
  • Attorney Profiles
  • Practice Areas
  • Contact
  • Knowledge Center

    Facebook    Twitter    Blog

More
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Legal Disclaimer & Terms of Use
  • Local & Reviews
© The Babcock Law Firm. Colorado law firm for workers' compensation, car accidents & personal injury. Serving all of Colorado and the Denver metro area from our Denver law office law firm internet marketing by SEO Advantage®