Ohio House Bill 81 (HB 81) was signed into law by Governor DeWine on June 16, 2020. What started as an initiative to expand workers’ comp coverage for post-exposure testing of safety officers will now address several other key issues when it goes into effect later this year.
While the changes might just be legalese to a layperson, they represent significant changes to workers’ comp attorneys like me.
Ohio Workers' Comp Changes Effective September 15, 2020
While testing of peace officers, firefighters, emergency medical workers, and corrections officers exposed to blood and bodily fluids on the job is already covered by workers’ comp, HB 81 expands that coverage. Beginning September 15, 2020, workers' comp extends to employees of detention centers and includes exposure to drugs or other chemical substances. Also, these changes will be implemented when the law goes into effect:
- The voluntary abandonment doctrine regarding temporary total disability claims—which had been based on 25 years of case law—will now be subject to new, specific standards.
- The statute of limitations for reporting violations of specific safety standards will change from two years to one year from the date of injury.
- Funeral benefit cap increases from $5,000 to $7,500 but isn't retroactive.
- Employers can no longer withdraw from a proposed settlement agreement when the claim exceeds their premium calculation, and the employee in the claim no longer works for them.
- HB 81 changes the date that the Industrial Commission can invoke continuing jurisdiction to the time of medical services, rather than the date of payment.
- Expands the time you have to appeal an Industrial Commission decision from 60 to 150 days in specific circumstances for claims pending on and arising after September 29, 2017.
Fortunately, don't worry about how these changes affect your workers’ comp claim because, if you're already a client, my team is taking care of everything.
If you need to file a claim or are struggling with an existing application, please call my office to discover how we may help. At Monast Law Office, we stay informed of changes affecting the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, the Ohio Industrial Commission, and your claim.
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