Hundreds of workers compensation cases - including dozens collecting dust for at least three years - hit a virtual dead end at the Texas Department of Insurance, according to a state audit that also highlights the division's sloppy work and lifeless enforcement.
The workers' compensation enforcement division threw in the towel on businesses and individuals between July 2009 and February: More than 8 of every 10 cases resulted not in fines, but warning letters.
In contrast, other insurance department enforcement teams handed out fines in 55 percent of their cases, according to the audit released Thursday.
"We're working to fix it," said Insurance Department spokesman John Greeley.
The state auditor's office report found as of April, 661 pending cases had been open an average of about 15 months - 467 calendar days.
One case has been open since fiscal 2006 and 58 since 2007.
In 45 cases tested by auditors, all lacked either documentation or evidence that a supervisor had reviewed them. Workers' compensation also has no methodology for assessing fines. As a result, auditors had no way to judge whether fines were applied consistently.
The department has started to address its problems by keeping an accurate inventory of cases. A database now tracks cases and creates reports on all pending matters. Enforcement team leaders will also conduct case reviews to verify that cases are making progress. The senior associate commissioner has introduced a procedure to verify that leaders are conducting case reviews in a timely manner.
Read more
Get a free workers compensation quote by calling 713-227-7283.
The workers' compensation enforcement division threw in the towel on businesses and individuals between July 2009 and February: More than 8 of every 10 cases resulted not in fines, but warning letters.
In contrast, other insurance department enforcement teams handed out fines in 55 percent of their cases, according to the audit released Thursday.
"We're working to fix it," said Insurance Department spokesman John Greeley.
The state auditor's office report found as of April, 661 pending cases had been open an average of about 15 months - 467 calendar days.
One case has been open since fiscal 2006 and 58 since 2007.
In 45 cases tested by auditors, all lacked either documentation or evidence that a supervisor had reviewed them. Workers' compensation also has no methodology for assessing fines. As a result, auditors had no way to judge whether fines were applied consistently.
The department has started to address its problems by keeping an accurate inventory of cases. A database now tracks cases and creates reports on all pending matters. Enforcement team leaders will also conduct case reviews to verify that cases are making progress. The senior associate commissioner has introduced a procedure to verify that leaders are conducting case reviews in a timely manner.
Read more
Get a free workers compensation quote by calling 713-227-7283.
