Governor Signs 'Strict Construction' Bill to Take Effect Aug. 1

By Bill Kidd, Central Bureau ChiefGov. Bobby Jindal (R) has signed legislation to require Louisiana courts not to favor injured workers or employers in workers’ compensation disputes – something critics say overturns nearly a century of judicial practice of interpreting the law in favor of employees.Critics also say the law is likely to increase disputes over benefits, leading to increased costs.The Louisiana Legislature’s website reported Tuesday that the governor signed Senate Bill 763 by Sen. Jack Donahue, R-Mandeville, on June 14.The bill states that the workers' comp...