We Fight To Maintain Worker Protections
Wisconsin is the birthplace of workers’ compensation laws. These laws were created as a part of our state’s proud tradition of the “Wisconsin Idea”, a commitment to applying university innovations and ideas to government programs that benefit all residents of Wisconsin.
Unfortunately, in recent years the workers’ compensation system in Wisconsin has been the target of legislative reforms that seek to strip workers of their rights and existing benefits under the law.
At Siedow & Jackson, SC, our firm has been at the forefront of efforts to fight these so-called reforms and expose proposed laws for what they are: an attack against Wisconsin’s workers and an attempt to dismantle the workers’ compensation system, creating in its place a lopsided system that favors employers’ bottom line.
Efforts To Dismantle Workers’ Comp Continue
A bill introduced in the Wisconsin Assembly in November 2015 proposed to weaken workers’ compensation protection in a variety of ways, including:
- Limiting doctor choice for injured workers
- Requiring workers to disclose all medical conditions to employers upon hire
- Requiring permanent partial disability decisions to be reviewed every three years
- Banning workers’ compensation benefits if you were even partially at fault for the injury
By tirelessly fighting the proposed draconian reforms, opponents of the bill (including attorneys at our firm) helped to pass a more reasonable reform bill. Sadly, even this legislation still includes provisions that chip away at workers’ rights. Some of these provisions include:
- Denying lost wage compensation for workers whom employers place on limited duty, and subsequently fire for misconduct
- Allowing deduction in permanent partial disability awards for pre-existing conditions, even if those conditions were not known or symptomatic before the injury
- Reducing the statute of limitations for traumatic injuries from 12 years to 6 years
At Siedow & Jackson, SC, we are fully committed to protecting Wisconsin’s workers’ compensation laws and will continue to fight damaging legislation that the current administration is likely to continue to put forward.
Speak With Someone Who Is On Your Side
If you’ve been hurt on the job, you’re in a vulnerable position. When you need help the most, your employer and employer’s insurer will most likely be looking to contain their costs. You need someone who can fight for the full compensation you deserve: that’s what the dedicated workers’ compensation lawyers at Siedow & Jackson, SC, provide.
To schedule your free initial consultation at our Eau Claire office, use our online contact form, or call us at 715-318-2743, or toll-free at 888-896-6174.