Mississippi House Bill HB805

Mississippi 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/17/22
• Refer: 1/17/22
• Failed: 2/1/22

Caption

Workers' compensation; require emergency hearing upon request of either party.

Impact

If passed, HB805 would enhance the rights of claimants and employers by ensuring that emergency hearings could be held within twenty days of a request or petition. This could reduce the backlog of claims that often leads to delayed compensation for injured workers, thereby aligning the state's workers' compensation process with similar systems that prioritize prompt adjudication. The bill proposes an improvement in the accessibility of hearings while also emphasizing the commission's authority to manage the settlement of claims more effectively.

Summary

House Bill 805 aims to amend Section 71-3-47 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, introducing a requirement for the Workers' Compensation Commission to order an emergency hearing when requested or petitioned by either party involved in a claim. This procedural change is intended to expedite the hearings related to workers' compensation claims, thereby potentially increasing the efficiency with which such claims are settled. The proposed bill reflects a growing concern about the timely resolution of disputes in the workers' compensation system.

Contention

The bill's introduction may spark discussion among stakeholders in the workers' compensation community about the potential implications for fairness and administrative burden. While some may argue that quicker hearings could lead to expedited justice for claimants, others might contend that pressure for rapid resolution could hinder a thorough examination of each case. Concerns regarding the adequacy of the commission's current resources to handle increased hearing requests may also arise, indicating a clash between the need for speed and the demand for comprehensive oversight.