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An interesting article discusses the quiet lobbying effort to gut workers’ compensation laws bankrolled by Walmart and several other large retailers. According to the article, these companies have supported and funded a behind the scenes lobbying effort to dramatically change workers’ compensation laws in many states. My state, Alabama, is on the group’s target list.
The changes come quietly. In state legislatures, the group’s lobbyists work to promote legislation which limits or diminishes basic benefits to injured workers. One of the major efforts of this business group is to create an opt-out system for workers’ compensation. How would such a system work? Workers’ compensation benefits in Alabama are already extremely limited. Yet, although limited, the system does mandate certain basic medical and disability benefits for workers.
Under an opt-out system, a business could choose to opt-out of the workers’ compensation system and write its own benefit plan. The employer could be allowed to write its own rules governing benefits. If this ever became a reality in Alabama (and it already has in a couple states), here’s what injured workers and their families could possibly see and suffer —
Some causes benefit the public. But, this shadow group of lobbyists funded by big business is not lobbying for the public good. No. Instead, they are lobbying behind the scenes for special protection so their clients can profit while the public suffers. This shadow group of lobbyists wants to shift the costs of workplace injuries to the families of workers and the communities where they live. That’s unjust. The quiet lobbying efforts to gut our basic workers’ compensation laws should be stopped.
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The Blackwell Law Firm represents injured workers across Alabama. If you have questions about a workplace accident or injury, let us know. We are happy to answer your questions. Consultations are always free and confidential.