by Alissa C. Atkins, Esq.

At the 2014 Workers’ Compensation Law Institute conference in St. Simons last week, Hon. Frank McKay welcomed attorneys with a State of the Board update. He reviewed many of the proposed legislative changes we have previously updated you about, and confirmed that the Council will present a package of proposed legislative reforms when the 2015 Georgia legislature convenes in January. The proposed reforms include an increase in the maximum weekly Temporary Total Disability rate from $525 to $550 and from $350 to $367 for Temporary Partial Disability benefits effective July 1, 2015.

He is also proceeding with a proposal to increase the spousal cap on death benefits to $220,000. The maximum payable to a surviving spouse who is the deceased worker’s sole beneficiary at the time of death is currently $150,000.

With general elections in approximately three weeks, we will have a better idea of the likely members assigned to the Senate’s Insurance and Labor Committee later this year. Look for further legislative updates once the session begins in January.