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"Riley Factor"
This article was featured in the July 2006
issue of Business Matters, the
Chamber's monthly print newsletter.
Workers’ Compensation Bill to Be Introduced
The Legislative Budget and Finance Committee
recently completed a review of Pennsylvania’s
worker’s compensation system and how it compares to
nearby states. The analysis compared various costs
and procedures and the findings indicated that
litigation costs associated with workers’
compensation (WC) claims are more expensive in
Pennsylvania than in other states.
In an effort to correct this competitive
disadvantage, Representative Bob Allen (R-125th,
Schuylkill, Berks) is expected to introduce a
workers’ compensation reform bill in the coming
weeks.
Representative Allen’s legislation, a compromise
between business and the legal community, will
reform the WC litigation system by:
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Increasing the minimum amount of a claimant’s
compensation;
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Requiring that WC judges establish a mandatory
trial schedule to be attended by all parties;
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Creating resolution courts in each district;
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Restructuring the WC Appeals Board and
instituting minimum requirements for board
members;
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Setting compensation for WC judges at a pay
range not less than other administrative law
judges; and
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Instituting a more equal workload between county
referees.
The legislation is expected to benefit both
employees and employers, as it will reduce
litigation costs, streamline the adjudication
process and help bring Pennsylvania’s WC costs more
in line with competing states.
Passing workers' compensation reform can help
stimulate Pennsylvania's economy and can help
provide incentive for businesses to expand
operations and locate new businesses into our
Commonwealth, which in turn, will provide new jobs
for Pennsylvanians.
The Greater Reading Chamber of Commerce & Industry
will review the bill when it is introduced and will
likely be advocating quick passage. |
