Lawmaker Proposes Changes To Workers’ Compensation Laws
by Christine Stuart | Jan 10, 2013 6:30am
(6) Comments | Commenting has expired
Posted to: Town News, Newtown, Law Enforcement, Labor, Legal, Public Safety, State Capitol
Rep. Stephen Dargan may still be fielding phone calls over his proposal to make gun permit information public, but another piece of legislation he proposed has already found support from the Newtown community.
Dargan introduced a bill that that would require workers’ compensation benefits to cover post-traumatic stress disorder for first responders.
“When everyone is running away from a tragic scene, they’re running to it,” Dargan said Wednesday.
Earlier this week the Newtown Police Commission passed a resolution asking Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and legislative leaders to enact similar legislation for the first responders and Sandy Hook School employees.
“Given the extraordinary effort and bravery exhibited by members of the Newtown Police Department, first responders, teachers and staff of the Sandy Hook Elementary School, fairness and compassion dictates that the workers’ compensation laws of Connecticut be amended to provide appropriate benefits for all those who sustained physical and emotional injury as a consequence of their heroic efforts within the scope of their employment on and after Dec. 14, 2012,” the resolution says.
Connecticut’s workers’ compensation laws cover emotional injuries from the use of deadly force by police officers, but don’t account for an emotional distress suffered as a result of walking into rooms filled with bodies.
“There are a number of first responders who were severely impacted,” Dargan said.
He said he understands covering post-traumatic stress will increase the cost of insurance for municipalities, but he thinks it’s a conversation the state should have.
The Employee Assistance Program offers individuals help in the short term with any psychological pain and suffering, but Dargan said PTSD may not show up for years in some of the first responders.
The opposition to the proposal is likely to be centered on the fiscal implications for the town, which provides the workers’ compensation insurance to its employees.
But Dargan believes the legislature can craft the law in such a way that only applies to these types of extreme circumstances.
In the meantime, some of the 13 Newtown police officers who were directly involved in responding to the shooting remain out of work without pay. Some of the officers have remained on the job.
Newtown Police Union President Scott Ruszczyk told the Register Citizen that even though some of the officers aren’t being paid they are being supported with private donations.
Tags: Stephen Dargan, workers' compensation, Newtown shooting, post-traumatic stress disorder, dh
(6) Comments
posted by: GoatBoyPHD | January 10, 2013 8:13am
It would be cheaper to hire responders who are screened from mental fitness for the job.
posted by: Noteworthy | January 10, 2013 12:00pm
The most over-used, over-hyped sentence in America: “When everyone is running away from a tragic scene they’re running to it.” It has been used to spend billions of dollars on first responders; buy billions of dollars in special equipment from radios, to boats, to assault vehicles to paying special dividends and benefits.
So, here we go again. GoatBoy has it exactly right. If you can’t handle the stress of the job, then don’t get in it. The whole job of first responders is to jump into our tragedies. If when finally confronted with one, you can’t handle it, well, one wonders what that person is doing in the job. In the end, this benefit will be extended to every first responder in the state, all using the same lines.
posted by: JAM | January 10, 2013 12:26pm
I think that Dargan is heading down the wrong path here. Granted an event like Newtown can have serious effects, but the workers’ comp system is not the answer. After all responding to tragic incidents is part of the job. Is everyone going on comp following a response to a bad auto accident?
Programs should be in place to deal with these situations on a case by cae basis, but establishing a “right” to comp will get out of hand very quickly.
posted by: Reasonable | January 11, 2013 3:21pm
Let’s not rock the boat, Mr. Dargan, The funding for Workman’s Comp—is already strained. Let’s not overdo it. Rep. Dargan relects the actions of his fellow legislative colleages—who always act with the theory that “money is no object,”—which is the reason the State of Connecticut can’t get out of its massive state deficit—as the Gov. Malloy and his General Assembly—keep on spending, like it’s going out of style.
posted by: Reasonable | January 11, 2013 3:34pm
Your excellent track record in the General Assembly—certainly qualifies you to take a run at being the next Republican Governor of Connecticut. I believe that you have the support of a lot of people —to be Governor Klarides.
posted by: Joebigjoe | January 11, 2013 10:46pm
I don’t think we need a complete overhaul of the law for the reasons stated but I know people that know first responders in this case and major crimes people , and this event is different. I wake up still thinking about this event and iwasnt even there. I think an exception can be made.