Assembly OKs changes to workers’ comp

PROVIDENCE – The General Assembly passed changes to the state’s workers’ compensation laws that include an update on the medical-review procedure for claims.
The legislation, which still needs Gov. Donald L. Carcieri’s approval, makes a number of changes in the medical-review procedure for claimants receiving workers’ compensation benefits. The changes include:
&#8226 Adoption of the most recent edition of the American Medical Association’s Guide to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment in determining “loss of use.”
&#8226 Changing the various scheduling and reporting requirements of the Medical Advisory Board, intended to save time for the physicians, the board and the insurers.
&#8226 Increase of the award to injured workers when they suffer a loss of use. The increase goes from one-half of the average weekly wage with a maximum of $90 and a minimum of $45 per week to one-half of the average weekly wage with a maximum of $180 and a minimum of $90 per week.
&#8226 Changes to the benefit award for hearing loss to the extent it equates traumatic hearing loss with occupational hearing loss.
&#8226 Extension of the obligation of the General Assembly to capitalize the Uninsured Employer Fund for another year and delays its implementation for one year. &#8226