Carrier Can't Charge Premiums Based on Wages Paid to Workers Covered by Jones Act

A federal appellate court ruled that an Iowa employer did not breach its contractual obligations to its workers’ compensation carrier by refusing to pay premiums that included the wages paid to its seamen. Case: LM Insurance Corp. v. Dubuque Barge and Fleeting Service Co., No. 19-1647, 07/20/2020, published. Facts: Newt Marine Service is an Iowa construction company that conducts most of its work on a dredge barge and plant on the Mississippi River. The LM Insurance Corp. issued workers’ compensation policies to Newt in 2013, 2014 and 2015. Each policy included the same premium ...