Bills Would Restore Fourth Edition, End Prevailing Factor Requirement

While the Kansas Legislature remains a deep shade of red, the new governor is a Democrat who has signaled her support for a kinder, gentler workers’ compensation system. That has given labor advocates encouragement to try to undo almost a decade of laws that they have seen as harsh to injured employees and generous to employers. The 2019 Legislature convened Tuesday. On Monday, state Rep. John Carmichael, a Wichita claimants’ attorney and one of the most vocal backers of pro-worker reforms, introduced four bills that would significantly alter the comp landscape in Kansas. &l...