Assembly still considering harmful workers' comp bills

(March 17, 2006) Proposals to undo the landmark workers’ compensation reforms are still being considered in the legislature. These measures, with the exception of SB-548, originated in and were approved by the legislature’s Labor Committee.

• SB-217 — removes the limit on the state’s unique “discretionary benefits,” opening the door to far-higher workers’ comp costs.
• SB-25 — eliminates the Social Security offset for workers’ comp benefits. Allowing individuals to collect more than their weekly wage replacement, as this bill would allow, creates a significant disincentive for people to return to work.
• SB-24 — seriously weakens the state’s workers’ comp system by allowing lawsuits to be filed against employers in certain workers’ comp cases.
• SB-548 — repeals a workers’ comp reform by allowing scarring awards regardless of where the injuries are located or the impact they have on the claimant’s earning ability.

Other workers’ comp bills still being considered include:
• SB-221 – requires that light duty offered to an employee must “be performed during work days and hours comparable to those worked by such employee at the time of the employees’ injury.” Most employers are as accommodating to the employee as possible; when this is not the case, the Workers’ Compensation Commission gets involved. The bill now imposes a $500 penalty for violations, unless the arrangement is mutually agreed upon.
• SB-461 – requires employers to provide a written notice of workers’ comp benefits available to an injured employee, even before it is determined if the injury qualifies for those benefits.

Connecticut’s workers’ comp system successfully protects and benefits employees by providing timely, simple, effective and inexpensive relief without assigning blame to any involved party.

Any measures that increase employers’ liability or costs would jeopardize Connecticut’s still-fragile economy and once again put jobs in peril.

For more information, contact CBIA’s Bonnie Stewart at 860-244-1900 or stewartb@cbia.com. n