Texas Workers' Comp Commissioner Resigns

At a time when state lawmakers are studying how Texas treats workers who get injured or killed on the job, the commissioner of workers' compensation, Rod Bordelon, abruptly announced his resignation last week.

Bordelon’s resignation came as a surprise to insurers and workers’ advocates. He announced the decision internally on Friday, and word of it quickly spread though the community of lawyers and insurers specializing in injured worker issues.

“Thank you for all your hard work and dedication to the organization and to making Texas a model for effective regulation,” Bordelon said in a statement emailed to agency staff. “You have much to be proud of and I am privileged to be part of it.”

Bordelon’s resignation takes effect on Aug. 1.

Lawyers who represent injured workers in disputes with insurance companies have complained that Bordelon's Division of Workers’ Compensation, which falls under the Texas Department of Insurance, is too cozy with insurers it is supposed to regulate. But insurance companies praised the gubernatorial appointee for treating them fairly.

More at http://www.texastribune.org/2014/06/10/tx-workers-comp-comissioner-resigns/ .