High Court: Revised Benefit Limits for Mental Impairment Still Violate Equal Protection

A unanimous New Mexico Supreme Court on Monday said a law that limits the duration of benefits for subsequent mental impairments to the duration of benefits allowed for the underlying physical condition violates the equal protection clause of the state Constitution. The high court said there was no compelling governmental interest to support Sections 52-1-41(C) and 52-1-42(A)(4 ), which were enacted in 2015 to replace similar provisions the court struck down in 2005 and impose limits on benefits for mental injuries that are different than limits on benefits for physical injuries. “Both...