Bill Would Increase Benefit Duration to 520 Weeks

A Mississippi lawmaker is making another attempt to increase the duration of disability benefits. Rep. John W. Hines Sr., D-Greenville, on Tuesday introduced House Bill 349, which would increase the benefit duration cap by more than 15% to 520 weeks from 450 weeks. Mississippi law caps compensation for an injury or death at 450 weeks multiplied by 66.67% of the state average weekly wage. The law similarly caps benefits for permanent total disability, permanent partial disability and temporary total disability at the equivalent of 450 weeks multiplied by 66.67% of the average we...