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Industry
News and History
Coal's
Past, Present, and Future
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Mining
with Mules
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Although coal has always been an important
and plentiful fuel source, many people may
not realize just how long it has been used
or how much it is used today. A look at past
and present uses of coal can tell us what
the future of coal might be.
The Past
Coal has been used for nearly as long as
mankind has thrived. In fact, coal was used
to provide
heat in caveman times!
In the 1300's in what is now the United States,
Native Americans used coal for cooking, making
clay pots, and heating. By the mid-1700's,
the first U.S. coal mining operations opened
in
Virginia.
Wood charcoal had long been used to provide
fuel in England, but in the 18th century
it was discovered that coal burned cleaner
and
hotter. Soon after, coal use skyrocketed
during the Industrial Revolution, when demands
for
energy sources increased.
Coal was used to fuel the boilers on steam-powered
trains, which became a popular mode of transportation
in 19th-century America. At the same time,
coal was being used in the production of weapons
during the American Civil War, and coke (a
coal residue) took charcoal's place as the
primary fuel for making steel.
About one hundred years ago in the United
States, coal's abundance led to its widespread
use for heating homes, generating electricity,
providing cooking heat, powering railroads
and boats, and fueling factories.
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July
Birthdays
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Jon
Flower
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1
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| Kathy
Burke |
9
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| Dialyn
Spence |
13
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| Bryant
Brown |
15
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| Alice
Beam |
16
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| Pat
Ballock |
29
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August
Birthdays |
| Kathy Yaworski |
3 |
| Jackie
Flint |
10 |
| Sally Fisk |
11 |
| Sylvia
Wilkins |
24 |
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July
Anniversaries
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| Dale
Thompson |
14
years
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| Kattie
McGrane |
2
years
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August
Anniversaries
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| Don Vass |
15 years |
| Mary Ann Wharton |
4 years |
| Cyndi Rodabaugh |
4 years |
| Genevieve Noble |
3 years |
| Pat Ballock |
2 years |
| Linda Carlen |
1 year |
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Getting
to Know Mike Stanley
Senior Claims Representative, PA Office
How
long have you been with the company? 4
and a half years. Before that, I worked with
Rockwood Casualty
for 14 years.
Tell
us a little about your average week. How many
claims do you usually see in a
week? Lately,
it has been very slow. I usually see 5 to 10 medical
only claims per week and pass them on to our med
only adjuster. We’re averaging only about
one lost time claim per week. Either our insured’s
employees aren’t getting hurt seriously or
they are staying on to make money instead of filing
a claim. Basically, other than any new claims,
I look at old claims and see what we can do to
close them out. I review files to see about getting
surveillance and IME's (Independent Medical Exams)
and confer with counsel to determine what we need
to
do about
claims
that
are in litigation.
What
are some of the types of claims that you usually
see? Handling all the new PA
traumatic
work comp claims, I see mostly strained backs,
injured knees, etc. Right now, I’m working
on a new claim of a fractured leg with compartment
syndrome. We’re working on getting Best Docs
involved on this one. One of the things that’s
been really helpful about having fewer new claims
has been the ability to concentrate on the older,
more involved claims—right now I’m
working on an amputation claim from several years
ago that has taken a turn for the worse.
How
long does it usually take to settle a claim? It
really is completely variable depending on the
claimant and on the claimant’s attorney.
I usually like to start moving claims that need
settled toward settlement within a year, if possible.
It takes time to get things approved and pushed
through. Others can take 2 to 3 years or more,
depending on litigation.
What's
your favorite part of the job? Going
after the bad guys—the ones that have
given false information to get benefits .
The claims from workers who are truly hurt
aren't difficult. But, the ones that are
trying to beat the system that you can go
after are enjoyable. I like to dig into a
tough claim—it makes it a challenge
to get them off of comp. Some people try
to make a lifestyle out of comp instead of
using it when it is really needed.
more>>>
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By
The Numbers
click here for larger graphs
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Reinsurance Treaties Renewed
American Mining Insurance Company has renewed
its primary reinsurance treaty with American
Re-Insurance Company (the expiring reinsurer)
effective July 1, 2005. There were no major changes
to contract terms and conditions.
The Workers Compensation Excess Reinsurance Treaty,
which covers losses over $10,000,000 has also
been renewed with most of the same expiring reinsurers
(Aspen Insurance, Hannover Re and
Odyssey American Re). This coverage is placed
thru Benfield, a reinsurance broker.
Reinsurance costs are the second biggest expense
in our Company’s overhead.
A Member of the
Munich Re Group
Learn more about American Re from their fact
sheet (click here).
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Our office will be closed in observance of Independence
Day on Monday, July 4th
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CGH
Insider Editoral
Email
us with any thoughts or suggestions, compliments
or complaints.
Joe Watts,
Editor
Bryant Brown,
Associate Editor
Sylvia Wilkins,
Associate Editor
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