Bill Proposes Extending Benefit Duration to 520 Weeks

Injured workers in Mississippi would be eligible for up to 520 weeks of disability benefits under a bill introduced Tuesday, the start of the 2021 legislative session. House Bill 26, by Rep. John W. Hines Sr., D-Greenville, would increase the benefit duration by more than 15% compared to the current cap of 450 weeks. Mississippi Code Section 71-3-13 declares that maximum compensation for an injury or death of a worker shall not exceed the multiple of 450 weeks times 66.67% of the state average weekly wage. Section 71-3-17 similarly caps benefits for permanent total disability, perm...