Workers Comp Bills

There are a lot of bills floating around the state capitol right now. Interestingly, five bills all have to do with worker's compensation rules and reform. The bills already have a pretty significant opponent in the MetroHartford Alliance, which has alerted its members to contact the Labor Committee and express opposition.

A quick rundown of the bills:
Senate Bill 255 - To permit workers' compensation commissioners to award additional benefits to compensate an injured worker for loss of wages under the appropriate circumstances. Following a public hearing on March 4, it got a 7-1 approval from the Labor Committee on Thursday.

Senate Bill 57 - To require employers to provide forms necessary for injured employees to help injured employees provide adequate notice of injury to the Workers' Compensation Commission. There was a public hearing on March 4, no action since then.

Senate Bill 63 - To reinsert the post-traumatic stress disorder clause into the Workers' Compensation Act. No action since the March 4 hearing.

Senate Bill 64 - To create a more equitable system of awarding workers' compensation for permanent disfigurement or scarring. Passed the Labor Committee Thursday with a 7-3 tally.

House Bill 5334 - To create penalties for employer's delay of necessary medical treatment for injured workers. Still in the Labor Committee following the March 4 hearing.

The opposition from the MetroHartford Alliance is based on the fact that Connecticut is already 9th in the country when it comes to worker's compensation costs and it is, according to them, the only state that awards such generous discretionary benefits. They also cite the National Council on Compensation Insurance which estimates that Senate Bill 255, for additional benefits, would increase costs by 55 percent.

Of course, the flip side are the advocates for workers and families that argue these benefits are deserved. At the very least, two of the five bills have already made their way out of committee.

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