Utah Workers’ Comp Fund Evaluates Worker Elegibility

Utah’s Workers Compensation Fund recently came under fire for propsing workers’ eligibility to benefits be evaluated. Based on its proposal, some in the mainstream media interpreted WCF’s actions as trying to do away with benefits for illegal immigrants.

Based on the news reports, WCF issued the following statement:

“Workers Compensation Fund has a long standing history of providing benefits to injured workers regardless of their immigration status and will continue to do so.

Recent media reports and rumors suggest that a proposed bill by WCF might be an attempt to take advantage of undocumented workers, by denying them benefits after an injury received on the job. The proposed bill addressed returning an injured employee to work on a part-time or light-duty basis.

There appears to be unintended consequences to undocumented workers in the proposal, and we are withdrawing it from consideration by the Labor Commission’s Workers’ Compensation Advisory Council.

Workers Compensation Fund will continue its efforts to educate the Hispanic community on their rights and benefits regarding workers’ compensation insurance as well as actively seek out ways to better protect them on the job. Workers Compensation Fund is planning opportunities to meet with community leaders to answer concerns about the issue.”

Questions regarding workers’ comp are being directed to Greg Summerhays at 801-288-8311 or gsummerh@wcfgroup.com.

Source: WCF