subject: NC Insurance Company Bailout - Limits Workers Rights to Recovery [print this page] NC Insurance Company Bailout - Limits Workers Rights to Recovery
North Carolina Workers Compensation Benefits Under Attack
Workers Compensation is the only remedy for an injured worker. An injured worker cannot sue their employer. In the state of NC, the legislative body is trying to severely change workers compensation law so that the worker becomes a victim a second time.
There are 2 primary changes on the table. First, the proposed legislation known as Bill 542, would set a new arbitrary limit of 500 wks of compensation. In other words, you are working for a manufacturer and in the course of your employment you are injured and now a paraplegic that needs life time care and medical assistance. Under the new proposed law, your benefits would be cut off after 500 wks or 9.5 years. So, if you are injured at age 25, then at age 35, you are on your own. All benefits stop and the insurance company basically now washes its hands of you and of their responsibility to you. Thats part one of the House Bill 542.
Part 2 changes the law which up until now has stipulated that you can continue to collect your workers compensation benefits until you find suitable employment. In other words, until you find something comparable to what you were doing when you were injured and something that pays a comparable wage. Case in point. You are a construction worker that was making $30/hr. You are not physically able to do this type of job after a month, but you could handle a job working at McDonalds for minimum wage. The proposed legislation would require that you go back to work once you are physically able to do any job, yes, even a minimum wage job.
If you want your voice to be heard on this important matter, it is imperative that you contact your NC state representative and ask them to say NO to the Insurance Company Bail out Bill. We have posted contact information for your representatives and action steps to take on the Insurance Company Bailout Bill Facebook Page.
This bill has been sponsored by North Carolina Representatives Rhyne, McComas, Brisson and Crawford.
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