By Davis of Harris, Bonnen, Crabb H.B. No. 2445
77R6844 JMM-D
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
1-1 AN ACT
1-2 relating to lifetime workers' compensation benefits for certain
1-3 employees who suffer catastrophic burns.
1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-5 SECTION 1. Section 408.161(a), Labor Code, is amended to read
1-6 as follows:
1-7 (a) Lifetime income benefits are paid until the death of the
1-8 employee for:
1-9 (1) total and permanent loss of sight in both eyes;
1-10 (2) loss of both feet at or above the ankle;
1-11 (3) loss of both hands at or above the wrist;
1-12 (4) loss of one foot at or above the ankle and the
1-13 loss of one hand at or above the wrist;
1-14 (5) an injury to the spine that results in permanent
1-15 and complete paralysis of both arms, both legs, or one arm and one
1-16 leg; [or]
1-17 (6) a physically traumatic injury to the brain
1-18 resulting in incurable insanity or imbecility; or
1-19 (7) second and third degree burns over 40 percent of
1-20 the body.
1-21 SECTION 2. (a) This Act takes effect September 1, 2001.
1-22 (b) The change in law made by this Act applies only to a
1-23 claim for workers' compensation benefits filed with the Texas
1-24 Workers' Compensation Commission on or after the effective date of
2-1 this Act. A claim filed before the effective date of this Act is
2-2 governed by the law in effect on the date the claim was filed, and
2-3 the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.
2-4 COMMITTEE AMENDMENT NO. 1
2-5 On lines 19 and 20, strike from "second" to "the body." and
2-6 replace with as follows:
2-7 "burns that result in at least 40 percent of the body being subject
2-8 to debriding or grafting; or third degree burns covering the
2-9 majority of either both hands or of one hand and the head.
2-10 Davis of Harris