KS governor signs new WC laws

[bodybuilder1958]

KS labor secretary had this to say about the new law. "This is one more positive step in making Kansas a great place to do business."

So screw the injured worker all the more.

[Bummer Knees]

Sounds like the Chamber of Commerence was behind this bill, same as in 2005 when major changes were made with Kansas work comp.

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In todays news:

http://www.kansas.com/2011/04/19/1813625...p-law.html

[bodybuilder1958]

They did raise the settlement amounts that injured workers can get. The max used to be $100,000., now it's $155,000. , my question is how many people will even get it.

My lawyer stated that the new law which goes into effect May 15, 2011 will not stop any of my ongoing treatment since that was already approved. But it could muddle any settlement.

Respondent over and over talked about my 'pre-existing' injury. So any settlement I get will probably be reduced because at age 15 I had a knee injury. Then I had a partial menisectomy at age 43 in that same knee. What helped me in my case was an MRI done just before my second WC scope (with an infected synovial fistula), I had no medial bone loss noted in MRI and ex-rays. One year later I had 20% medial bone loss.

[Bummer Knees]

How many attorneys for injured workers in Kansas will now get out of this line work and practice another area of law?

[1171]

not enough voters remember legislation like this when they go the polls.
kansas citizens will be poorer for it.

why will that make kansas a better state to do business in.
better then china, or india or mexico??!

eventually about the same.

[bodybuilder1958]

Vote to pass this was 38 to 0

[SingleFather]

The unions are saying, companies are already working on evil ways to make this new law work for them. Where I work they say if you follow ALL saftey rules, you can not get injured. The union said your supervisor or manager are being trained to ask you leading questions on how you were injured. Once you say anything that violates the saftey policy, then claim is auto reduced. ( I am still looking for verbage on this)

One big thing is getting rid of Prolonged injuries, or if you can Not pin point the exact time of injury. You can no longer say it happened over time, or lifting heavy objects all day.

" Further, neutral risks and injuries due to idiopathic causes will no longer be compensable"

Idiopathic -- is an adjective used primarily in medicine meaning arising spontaneously or from an obscure or unknown cause.

I am happy the Total and death have been raised.

[kate]

(04-18-2011 11:26 PM)bodybuilder1958 Wrote:  So I wonder if this will be retroactive on my case.

I believe the changes are substantive. Meaning they apply to injuries on or after the effective date of the change. (May15, 2011)