$860M overcharges, The award that has been years in the making was handed down in Cleveland this week. Ohio employers who dealt with an alleged $860 million in overcharges from the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation are happy with the ruling from a judge. WKYC reported the details on March 20.
The case ties to the allegations that the BWC overcharged employers for nearly a decade when it came to Ohio's insurance fund for injured workers. Approximately 270,000 small-business owners were said to have been affected and it seems many don't even know they're impacted by the class action.
The lead plaintiff, Earl Stein, claims that the BWC never denied the $860 million in overcharges, though there has been debate about the exact amount involved. Stein says that with the judgment, many Ohio jobs can be created as the money flows back to the businesses.
Before the judgement, experts for the Bureau estimated that the overcharges were more in the neighborhood of $400 million. The attorneys for the plaintiffs are, of course, thrilled with the judge's award. The BWC, however, says they are disappointed and they will appeal. They say that they “maintain our actions were lawful and restitution is not warranted in this case.” Clearly the two sides are not even close to seeing eye-to-eye on the topic of the $860 million in overcharges.
The case has already dragged on for quite some time, and from the sounds of the BWC statement, they aren't about to cut a check to the plaintiffs for that $860 million in overcharges alleged. Those hoping to land some of that money will have to stay tuned for now.
The case ties to the allegations that the BWC overcharged employers for nearly a decade when it came to Ohio's insurance fund for injured workers. Approximately 270,000 small-business owners were said to have been affected and it seems many don't even know they're impacted by the class action.
The lead plaintiff, Earl Stein, claims that the BWC never denied the $860 million in overcharges, though there has been debate about the exact amount involved. Stein says that with the judgment, many Ohio jobs can be created as the money flows back to the businesses.
Before the judgement, experts for the Bureau estimated that the overcharges were more in the neighborhood of $400 million. The attorneys for the plaintiffs are, of course, thrilled with the judge's award. The BWC, however, says they are disappointed and they will appeal. They say that they “maintain our actions were lawful and restitution is not warranted in this case.” Clearly the two sides are not even close to seeing eye-to-eye on the topic of the $860 million in overcharges.
The case has already dragged on for quite some time, and from the sounds of the BWC statement, they aren't about to cut a check to the plaintiffs for that $860 million in overcharges alleged. Those hoping to land some of that money will have to stay tuned for now.