New Laws Starting in 2023 Improve Benefits for Legally Presumptive Injuries for Public Safety Officers
In this last legislative session, the California Legislature authored a bill, Senate Bill 1127, which was signed into law on September 29, 2022 by Governor Newsom. This new law improves the rights and benefits afforded to specified members of law enforcement and firefighters who suffer from legally presumptive injuries. The new law amends Labor Code Sections 3761, 4656, 5402 and adds Section 5414.3 to the Labor Code. In sum, the law allows for the following for injuries on or after January 1, 2023:
- Reduces the time period to accept or reject liability for certain industrial injuries or illnesses sustained by specified members of law enforcement and firefighters from 90 days to 75 days.
- For cancer injury claims defined in Labor Code Section 3212.1, it Increases the number of compensable weeks of temporary disability from 104 to 240 weeks.
- An increased penalty of up to $50,000 if liability for presumptive injuries covered by Labor Code Sections 3212 to 3213.2 is unreasonably rejected.
If you have questions concerning these new laws, or other work related injury matters for public safety officers, the attorneys at Gordon, Edelstein, Krepack, Grant, Felton & Goldstein (also known as GEKLAW) have years of experience assisting officers in these matters, are available to answer your questions, and can be reached at 213-739-7000 or info@geklaw.com.
