Abuse in County's 'Comp' Claims?

Eighteen workmen's compensation (injury) claims in a year's time--some of them from repeat claimants--Thursday prompted Perry County Board of Commissioners member Sam Robb to call for two things: 1.) better "fit to work" and integrity vetting of employees and 2.) a pro-active approach to ending what are certainly a percentage of suspect claims.

Robb directed his comments to Alex Snedeker and Kevin Kern of Snedeker Risk Management, the county's insurer.

The Du Quoin Evening Call will detail the county's loss rate during the past year in a followup article next week.

Robb didn't mince words, "Our costs are out of touch with reality," in terms of payouts for both premiums and claims.

The 18 claims last year compares to only three in Williamson County, a much larger county. "Some individuals are multiple users of workman's comp," he said, suspecting abuse--even fraud.

He and Snedeker spoke of both "frequency" and "repeaters". "If someone needs a boat or a truck of a house you will have a claim."

Robb and Snedeker mentioned the need for "integrity testing" when someone is hired by the county. New hires need to be "fit for duty."

Safety and education are all-important, said Snedeker. And, there must be accountability. "In a nursing home you aren't allowed to pick up a patient or you are fired," Snedeker said.

"It is not as strict in the public sector as it is in the private sector," he added.

Robb asked the three media present during the meeting to shed light on what has become an obscene problem for the county. Workmen's compensation claims are a matter of public record and the work to shed light on the claims against the county will begin next week.