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ARTICLE · 30 DECEMBER 2011

Michigan Amends Its Workers’ Disability Compensation Act

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On Dec. 19, 2011, Michigan Governor Rick Snyder signed into law a bill to reform the Michigan Workers’ Disability Compensation Act.

United StatesEmployment and HR
Barnes & Thornburg’S Labor & Employment Group
Barnes & Thornburg’S Labor & Employment Group
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On Dec. 19, 2011, Michigan Governor Rick Snyder signed into law a bill to reform the Michigan Workers' Disability Compensation Act. This bill, which was supported by Michigan's Chamber of Commerce and other pro-employer groups, is designed to improve Michigan's worker's compensation system by codifying several favorable decisions from the Michigan Supreme Court, and by closing certain loopholes in the system which had increased costs to employers.

The bill includes the following changes to the current worker's compensation system:

  • Employees must show that their injuries are "medically distinguishable" from their pre-existing conditions to qualify for workers' compensation benefits, namely, that work causes a pathology that is medically distinguishable from a pathology that existed prior to the injury.

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