TWCC Fines Carriers for Late Payments to Workers

The Texas Workers’ Compensation Commission reported it issued 68 Notices of Violation (NOVs) to insurance carriers on Sept. 24 for a total of $251,000 in penalties for late initial payments of Temporary Income Benefits (TIBs) to injured workers.

The Commission also issued 58 NOVs to insurance carriers for a total of $12,089 in penalties for inaccurate reporting of electronic data. Both types of violations resulted from initial TIBs payments electronically reported by the carriers to the Commission during the six-week period of April 16 to May 31, 2004.

The NOVs are part of a new enforcement strategy to ensure the prompt and timely initiation of income benefits to injured workers. The strategy is in direct support of Commission Rule 124.3 as amended in March 2004 after the passage of House Bill 2199 authored by Rep. Burt Solomons in the Texas Legislature.

The Commission will continue to monitor insurance carriers’ performance on the initiation of income benefits and issue NOVs when appropriate.

Any questions regarding the periodic notices or any other compliance issues may be directed to the Commission’s Compliance and Practices Division at (512) 804-4700.