Rep. Turzai applauds committee for advancing workers’ comp bill

Speaker of the House of Representatives Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) recently applauded the House Labor and Industry Committee for advancing House Bill 1234, which amends the Workers’ Compensation Act of 1915.

The amended bill would allow up to 300 weeks to file a claim from the diagnosis of an occupational disease with a long latency timeframe. Occupational diseases with long latency timeframes include asbestos-related cancers.

“This bill is necessary because of a court decision, Tooey v A.K. Steel, which has workers diagnosed with latent occupational diseases being forced to bring tort action in the court system,” Turzai said. “So, by advancing this bill, workers’ rights are restored. Those who have latent occupational diseases will be able to file claims in the workers’ compensation system, thereby making it efficient and fair to both employees and employers.”

Employers must pay workers’ compensation insurance/benefits. Under the law, in exchange for paying these benefits, injured workers cannot sue their employers in civil court. Instead, workers receive medical and disability benefits in a no-fault system and are not required to prove the company’s negligence.

The bill also reaffirms that the act provides exclusive remedy for long latency timeframe occupational diseases.

The bill will move to the full House for consideration.