By: Davis S.B. No. 1077
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the provision of lifetime income benefits under the
workers' compensation system.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subsection (a), Section 408.161, Labor Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(a) Lifetime income benefits are paid until the death of the
employee for:
(1) total and permanent loss of sight in both eyes;
(2) loss of both feet at or above the ankle;
(3) loss of both hands at or above the wrist;
(4) loss of one foot at or above the ankle and the loss
of one hand at or above the wrist;
(5) an injury to the spine that results in permanent
and complete paralysis of both arms, both legs, or one arm and one
leg;
(6) a physically traumatic injury to the brain
resulting in incurable insanity or imbecility; [or]
(7) third degree burns that cover at least 40 percent
of the body and require grafting, or third degree burns covering the
majority of either both hands or one hand and the face; or
(8) a whole body impairment that:
(A) is rated 85 percent or greater based on
"Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment," sixth edition,
published by the American Medical Association, or a subsequent
edition of those guides; and
(B) is the result of compensable injuries
suffered in a single incident.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.