Comp presumptions could extend beyond COVID-19: NCCI

At least 12 states have introduced legislation to create workers compensation presumptions of compensability that could apply to “infectious diseases and pandemics” beyond COVID-19, according to a legislative trends report released Friday by the National Council on Compensation Insurance.

The Boca Raton, Florida-based ratings agency is tracking bills in Alaska, California, Connecticut, Florida, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island, Texas and Washington, according to the report. To date, 20 states have COVID-19 presumptions in place.

“While several of these bills specifically mention COVID-19, these proposals also contain terms such as ‘contagious disease,’ ‘COVID-19 or similar disease,’ or ‘other future qualifying pandemic.’ This could mean that the presumption would still be applicable even after the current COVID-19 pandemic ends,” the report states.

Many of these proposals do not include sunset provisions or expiration dates, so they may not be temporary in nature, according to NCCI.

More insurance and workers compensation news on the coronavirus crisis here.