Voluntary Abandonment Bill Takes Effect Tuesday

Ohio legislation that clarifies when claimants have voluntarily abandoned the job market takes effect Tuesday. Gov. Mike DeWine in June signed House Bill 81, which declares, “If an employee is not working or has suffered a wage loss as the direct result of reasons unrelated to the allowed injury or occupational disease, the employee is not eligible to receive compensation under this section.” The bill also declares the intent of the legislature that the new statutory language supersedes any court decisions regarding voluntary abandonment. Other provisions in the bill will in...