work force safety

Complaints at WSI demand attention

There’s smoke at the offices of North Dakota’s workers compensation program. Is there fire? The state should resolve to find out.

By Grand Forks Herald , March 06, 2012

N.D. Supreme Court to hear Blunt appeal Oct. 21

North Dakota's Supreme Court will hear the appeal of former state workers compensation director Sandy Blunt next month.

September 21, 2009

Letter to the editor: WSI cares little for injured North Dakota workers

Some injured workers are lucky enough to have an injury treated quickly and return back to work at the same job.

By Michael Gaardner, Marion, N.D. , March 11, 2009

Klipfel named to head WSI

Bryan Klipfel is the new executive director of Workforce Safety and Insurance, Gov. John Hoeven announced this morning.

March 06, 2009

Little luck for fired WSI employees

Former employees of North Dakota’s Workforce Safety and Insurance agency have struggled to pursue claims that they were illegally fired for spotlighting questionable activities at the agency.

By By Dale Wetzel, The Associated Press , March 02, 2009

Blunt gets deferred sentence, no jail

Former workers’ compensation director Charles “Sandy” Blunt could clear his criminal conviction in two years if he complies with probation conditions a judge handed down Wednesday for misusing the state agency’s funds.

By By Janell Cole , N.D. Capitol Bureau , February 26, 2009

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Blunt shouldn’t get prison time, attorney says

North Dakota’s former workers compensation director deserves probation and an eventual clean record rather than prison for his felony conviction on a charge of misspending more than $26,000 in public funds, his lawyer believes.

By By Dale Wetzel, The Associated Press , February 25, 2009

Bills promise protection

The firing last year of several Workforce Safety and Insurance employees who had sought whistle blower protection has discouraged public employees from exposing wrongdoing, a state senator said. Sen. Tracy Potter, D-Bismarck, told the Senate Judiciary Committee that the fired employees found out the current whistle-blower protection law has no teeth.

By By Janell Cole , N.D. Capitol Bureau , February 04, 2009

Senate OKs bills expanding WSI aid

Injured workers who believe Workforce Safety and Insurance made the wrong decision in their cases will now be able to see an attorney who can examine their case, even if they don’t have any money. Senate Bill 2059 was one of three bills the state Senate passed Friday that offer more aid to injured workers whose cases are handled by Workforce Safety and Insurance.

By By Janell Cole, N.D. Capitol Bureau , January 31, 2009

Blunt guilty

Jurors found former workers’ compensation official Charles “Sandy” Blunt guilty Friday of one felony count of misspending state funds while he led the agency, convicting him on the more serious of two charges he faced.

By By Janell Cole , N.D. Capitol Bureau , December 20, 2008

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Interim WSI chief staying on longer

The interim chief executive officer of the North Dakota workers compensation agency will be staying on a little longer than he had planned.

December 19, 2008

Stories vary on Blunt’s sick-leave spending

A controversial former manager at Workforce Safety and Insurance testified Tuesday that it was not Charles “Sandy” Blunt who told him he could take paid sick leave when he was ousted at the agency. Two others testified on Tuesday that it was Blunt’s idea.

By By Janell Cole , N.D. Capitol Bureau , December 17, 2008

Attorneys pick jurors for Blunt trial

North Dakota’s former workers compensation director prepared for the start of his felony trial Monday after attorneys took less than a day to choose the jurors who will hear his case. Sandy Blunt faces two felony charges for allegedly misspending funds at North Dakota’s Workforce Safety and Insurance agency. The more serious of the two carries a maximum punishment of 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

By By Dale Wetzel, The Associated Press , December 12, 2008

Letter to the editor: WSI has failed this injured worker, needs a change

In 1998, I was injured when a loaded pop machine fell on my leg while it was being moved. After several months of doctor visits and physical therapy, my doctor told me we needed to do arthroscopic surgery as it was not healing. The folks at Workforce Safety and Insurance said they would have an MRI done on it instead. The MRI was preformed; it showed no visible damage. My doctor still recommended a scope procedure as MRI results are not always conclusive. WSI said no. I got a second opinion, and that doctor said arthroscopic surgery was in order.

By Ken Gordon , November 28, 2008

AG: WSI’s surplus at illegally high level

The state workers’ compensation agency has kept its surplus at an illegally high level, Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem said Tuesday. But there are virtually no consequences for the agency because there’s wide support for changing the law within a few months.

By By Janell Cole, N.D. Capitol Bureau , November 19, 2008