Bill Would Speed Lump-Sum Settlements, Bar Worker Misclassification Violators

A bill to make lump-sum settlements easier and faster passed the Nebraska Legislature Wednesday night. LB953, sponsored by Sen. Joni Albrecht, R-Thurston, passed the state's Unicameral Legislature 29-1. It would help alleviate a sticking point in the state's Workers' Compensation Court by allowing claimants' attorneys to certify that a lump-sum payment is amenable, even if all medical bills have not been paid, said Nebraska claimants’ attorney Dennis Crawford. In many cases, judges had balked at approving the settlements if any question about medical bills was left ...