OIEC Reports Question Constitutionality of Work Comp System

By John P. Kamin, ReporterTexas' advocate for unrepresented injured workers says its declining success rate and a growing number of disputed cases are signs that the state's workers' compensation system could favor payers to the point that it is violating claimants' constitutional rights.The Office of Injured Employees Counsel released two reports this week showing that it is only winning 29% of its cases, and that the number of disputes in contested case hearings are on pace to double in only three years. The office, which is the statutory ombudsman for injured workers, said i...