Workers comp notification bills introduced

Lawmakers in New York and Virginia are proposing changes to state law regarding notifications to employees in workers compensation cases.

Virginia Senate Bill 1037, introduced Sunday, would require employers to provide notice to covered workers of the right to dispute a claim denial through the state’s Workers’ Compensation Commission.

Under the proposal, if an employer or insurer denies a worker’s request for comp benefits, the denial letter must include a notice that the worker has a right to dispute the claim by requesting a hearing with the commission. Employers that fail to provide such notice could face civil penalties.

New York legislators Monday introduced Assembly Bill 571, which would require injured workers in comp cases to be notified if a new claims representative is assigned to their case or if it is determined that the assignment of a personal claims representative is no longer needed.

Insurers or self-insured employers would be required to provide such notice within 14 days.