Audit: State Work Comp Program Chief Approved $3.1M in Questionable Claims

An audit of Kentucky’s workers’ compensation program for state workers has accused former program chief Mary Hook of approving $3.1 million in questionable claims to volunteer firefighters based on the “undue influence” of the state’s chief fire official, Ronnie Day.  Against the advice of adjusters and legal counsel, Hook approved claims without considering firefighters’ medical histories and before medical evaluations could be completed, the audit found. In some cases, compensability decisions were made as soon as 24 hours after the first report ...