Relates to the presumption that an injured worker who has not refused an offer of reemployment from his or her employer has not voluntarily withdrawn from the labor market for compensation purposes.
Prohibits insurance carriers and employers from withholding certain benefits from injured workers based on a claim that such workers have voluntarily withdrawn from the labor market by not seeking alternate employment that their injury or illness does not preclude them from performing.
Relates to the presumption that an injured worker who has not refused an offer of reemployment from their employer has not voluntarily withdrawn from the labor market for compensation purposes.
Authorizes certain injured employees or their legal representative to claim workers' compensation or to maintain an action in the courts for damages on account of such injury when the commissioner of labor fails to act within a certain time frame for certain violations.
Defines temporary total disability as the injured employee's inability to perform such employee's pre-injury employment duties or any modified employment offered by the employer that is consistent with such employee's disability.
Relates to disqualification from receiving benefits for separation from employment in cases where the claimant's employer maintained or refused to cure a health or safety condition that made the environment unsuitable.
Relates to authorization of treatment under workers' compensation for care and treatment of injured employees by podiatrists, chiropractors and psychologists; repeals certain provisions.
Clarifies that workers who are temporarily partially disabled are entitled to payment of benefits at a reduced rate unless their separation from employment is unrelated to the compensable injury.
Establishes a fraud assessment commission; directs the chair of the workers' compensation board, in consultation with the workers' compensation fraud inspector general and the fraud assessment commission, to establish an assessment for workers' compensation fraud investigations to fund the investigation and prosecution of workers' compensation fraud, willful failure to secure payment of workers' compensation, and failure to keep true and accurate records; establishes the workers' compensation fraud investigation fund in the joint custody of the chair of the workers' compensation board, the commissioner of labor, and the comptroller, which shall consist of monies received from the imposition of the assessment for workers' compensation fraud investigations.