Bill to Amend Workers Compensation Law

The Alabama Legislature is back in session, so you know what that means; time to attack the meager workers’ compensation benefits injured workers in Alabama are currently entitled to receive.

In March of 2015, NPR and ProPublica ran an award winning series of reports on the dire straights of workers injured on the job as State after State have declared a de facto War on Injured Workers by continually cutting workers compensation benefits. One of the States mentioned as having the worst benefits for injured workers-Alabama.

Since 2015, nothing has changed with the outdated workers’ compensation laws in Alabama. Injured workers continue to be paid a pittance for their severe job injuries in comparison with the other States (in Alabama, if you lose BOTH arms below the shoulder, you are only entitled to receive $88,000.00-and not in lump sum). For years the attorneys at Powell and Denny and other likeminded lawyers have petitioned and begged Alabama’s Legislators to stop sacrificing Alabama workers to appease large corporations. In response, the Legislature has done nothing, but apparently large corporations have asked our Legislators for even more cuts to the workers comp benefits injured Alabama workers currently receive, and this request has been heard.

Just days into the 2017 Legislative Session, Senator Arthur Orr has submitted a bill to amend Alabama’s Workers’ Compensation Laws. No, Senator Orr is not suggesting injured workers receive what other injured workers in the Southeast receive for their injuries, or that it would be nice if injured workers could choose what doctor to see so as to prevent workers’ comp sending the injured workers to a doctor they have paid to say nothing is wrong (and this does happen). No, Senator Orr’s bill would limit the amount of workers compensation benefits those who suffer catastrophic injuries which leave the worker permanently disabled could receive. Additionally, Senator Orr’s proposed amendment would create an easier way for the workers’ compensation insurance carrier to get out of their legal obligation to provide lifetime medical benefits for injured workers.

If these changes become law, Alabama workers and their families will be put at greater risk, and the Alabama tax payer will be the person who picks up the tab. Alabama has already won the Race to the Bottom, and as a State, we are not better off. Alabama workers, and especially injured workers, are worse off. PLEASE, call your Legislator and tell them that injured workers in Alabama deserve better!!!

If you were hurt at work and you have any questions about an Alabama Workers Compensation claim, don’t hesitate to contact and speak with one of the experienced Alabama Work Injury Lawyers at Powell and Denny today.
Powell and Denny: We Work When You Can’t