Business Groups Line Up To Oppose Workers' Comp Measure In Senate
From the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin
What do the American Medical Association, Texas Gov. Rick Perry and a statute clarifying that the shoulder is part of a person's arm have in common?
They're all components of the latest workers' compensation bill in the Illinois Senate, a follow-up to business-backed changes made two years ago that cut payments to doctors and tightened restrictions on employee claims.
The bill winding its way through the legislative process this year, however, is almost universally opposed by business groups.
It would eliminate the need for a claimant to meet American Medical Association guidelines for an injury in order to be given a permanent partial disability award; increase the cost for an employer to appeal an arbitrator's decision; and potentially make some companies that perform safety inspections liable for civil action.
Although the bill also redefines the shoulder as being part of the arm — which could reduce awards given to injured employees — and contains a handful of provisions seen favorably by employers, some business lobbyists derided the proposal as the "Rick Perry Jobs Plan."
The Republican governor of Texas made a much ballyhooed attempt to lure Illinois industries to the Lone Star State, citing that state's workers' compensation laws as more conducive to a productive business climate.
Read more in our daily News Update...
From the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin
What do the American Medical Association, Texas Gov. Rick Perry and a statute clarifying that the shoulder is part of a person's arm have in common?
They're all components of the latest workers' compensation bill in the Illinois Senate, a follow-up to business-backed changes made two years ago that cut payments to doctors and tightened restrictions on employee claims.
The bill winding its way through the legislative process this year, however, is almost universally opposed by business groups.
It would eliminate the need for a claimant to meet American Medical Association guidelines for an injury in order to be given a permanent partial disability award; increase the cost for an employer to appeal an arbitrator's decision; and potentially make some companies that perform safety inspections liable for civil action.
Although the bill also redefines the shoulder as being part of the arm — which could reduce awards given to injured employees — and contains a handful of provisions seen favorably by employers, some business lobbyists derided the proposal as the "Rick Perry Jobs Plan."
The Republican governor of Texas made a much ballyhooed attempt to lure Illinois industries to the Lone Star State, citing that state's workers' compensation laws as more conducive to a productive business climate.
Read more in our daily News Update...