Bill Would Limit Disability and Death Benefits to Nine Years

Legislation is headed to the Arkansas House of Representatives to cap permanent total disability and death benefits at 450 weeks. HB 1586 says that for injuries or deaths occurring on or after July 1, workers or their survivors will receive two-thirds of the workers’ average weekly wage not to exceed nine years. The bill also makes employers responsible for medical care if their workers contract rabies. “Reasonably necessary medical treatment means without limitation any diagnostic and preventive measures prescribed for detection, diagnosis and prevention of rabies,&rdq...