LINCOLN - Lawmakers struck an agreement on Tuesday that allowed a bill changing how workers injured on the job learn about their legal options to advance to the second round of debate. The Legislature voted 36-1 to advance a narrower version of a bill (LB455) sponsored by Sen. Bob Hallstrom of Syracuse that sought to enact reforms to Nebraska’s workers' compensation system.

The amended version of the bill requires the Workers' Compensation Court to keep first injury reports confidential for a 60-day “cooling off” period before they become subject to public records laws. In the meantime, the bill also requires the court to notify workers who file claims that they can engage the services of an attorney to represent them if they choose.

To read the full article, click HERE