A new report from the United States Department of Labor asserts that state workers compensation laws are heading in the “wrong
direction,” calling for the “exploration” of federal
oversight and federal minimum benefits. According to NPR, the Labor Department
effort was stimulated by a letter written in fall 2015 by 10 Democratic
lawmakers requesting the department step in and aid injured workers due
vanishing worker protections and changing workers’ comp policies
in 33 different states.
The Labor Department’s report highlights how over the past 10 years,
several states across the country have enacted laws, changes, and policies
which have made it considerably more difficult for injured workers to
get the benefits they need, with states such as Texas and Oklahoma having
created “opt out” alternative programs which essentially give
employers the authority to single out injured workers for unequal treatment.
As such, the department has proposed federal intervention in the form
of standards which would prompt oversight from the federal government
in the event that state workers’ comp programs should fail to meet
those standards.
With workers’ comp-related legislation being introduced in many states,
the federal government’s interest in the matter is steadily rising,
with further action likely to continue depending on the outcome of the
upcoming November presidential election. For more information on this
important issue, head over to the
original article posted on HR Drive.
At Chestnut & Beller, our Cobb County workers’ compensation lawyers
are following this situation with great interest. To learn more about
potential changes to workers’ compensation, or to find out more
about how our team of advocates can help you pursue financial reimbursement
for your work-related injury or illness, call (770) 285-5542 or
contact our firm online today.