WSI

ND Workforce Safety ends computer vendor contract

North Dakota's workers’ compensation agency has ended a contract with a company that failed to complete a computer system overhaul.

January 10, 2013

Workers comp whistleblower claims agency retaliated

An employee of the North Dakota workers’ compensation agency who blew the whistle on suspected wrongdoing is alleging she has suffered retaliation.

By By Patrick Springer , Forum Communications , July 31, 2012

WSI bill payments backlogged

FARGO — Glitches in implementing a new computer system for the North Dakota workers’ comp program have produced a backlog of payments to medical providers that once topped $15.5 million.

By Patrick Springer, Forum Communications , June 18, 2012

WSI needs a little sunshine

The Forum’s recent reports by Patrick Springer on the missteps at North Dakota Workforce Safety and Insurance suggest that reforms favored by the voters a few years ago have gone somewhat unheeded. WSI, the state’s workers’ compensation agency, went through what was supposed to be top-to-bottom soul-searching after it was revealed former administrators violated state law. Following that mini-scandal, the agency was scrutinized by an inattentive Legislature. When little of significance was done to clean up WSI, a measure calling for reforms aimed at making the agency more worker-friendly went to the ballot, and voters easily passed it.

By The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead , May 22, 2012

WSI audit excluded record that prompted review

BISMARCK — The director of North Dakota’s workers’ compensation agency assured the governor that no claims involving unexplained deletions of claims file records involved denied benefits.

By Patrick Springer, Forum Communications CO. , May 14, 2012

Doctor disputes WSI report he wasn’t pressured

FARGO — The medical director of North Dakota’s workers’ compensation program disputes a finding by the agency there was “no evidence, or even suggestion” he was asked to alter his medical opinion.

By Patrick Springer, Forum Communications Co. , March 12, 2012

Former WSI director files federal appeal

BISMARCK (AP) — A former North Dakota workers’ compensation director has asked a federal judge to review his felony conviction for misspending state funds, claiming county prosecutors used false testimony to get it.

By Associated Press , February 27, 2012

WSI worker claims deletions broke the law

FARGO — An employee of North Dakota’s workers’ compensation program contends laws were violated when a claims supervisor ordered the deletion of a worker’s electronic medical record.

By Patrick Springer, Forum Communications Co. , February 27, 2012

WSI doctor says he was pressured on claims

FARGO —– The chief doctor who reviews injured North Dakota workers’ compensation claims said he twice resisted efforts by agency managers to alter his medical opinion.

By Patrick Springer, Forum Communications Co. , February 27, 2012

State worker's comp agency denies deputy claim

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota's state worker's compensation agency has denied a death claim filed on behalf of a Burleigh County sheriff's deputy.

October 29, 2011

State worker's comp agency denies deputy claim

North Dakota's state worker's compensation agency has denied a death claim filed on behalf of a Burleigh County sheriff's deputy.

October 29, 2011

Former WSI director contesting felony

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota's former workers’ compensation director is asking the state Supreme Court for the second time to throw out his felony conviction for misspending public funds.

February 22, 2011

N.D. workers comp coverage refused for mental stress

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A proposal to give workers’ compensation insurance coverage to emergency workers for mental stress has been defeated in the North Dakota House.

February 07, 2011

Judge rules former WSI director won't get new trial

BISMARCK — A prosecutor who won a felony conviction against former North Dakota workers’ compensation director Sandy Blunt did not withhold information from Blunt’s lawyer that might have helped his defense, a judge ruled on Wednesday.

By By Dale Wetzel, The Associated Press , September 16, 2010

Lawmakers: Evaluate WSI less often

BISMARCK — Workforce Safety and Insurance would receive performance evaluations less often under a bill draft approved Wednesday by state lawmakers.

By By Teri Finneman, Forum Communications Co. , September 16, 2010