Bill > SB788

This bill amends the Virginia Workers' Compensation Act to expand the definition of "occupational disease" to include injuries or diseases caused by repetitive and sustained physical stressors in the workplace. These stressors can include repeated motions, exertions, posture stresses, contact stresses, vibrations, or noises. Importantly, the bill removes the requirement that these physical stressors must occur over a specific time period, instead allowing coverage if the time period can be reasonably identified and documented. The bill introduces a "primary cause" standard, defining this as accounting for more than 50 percent of an injury or disease. To be covered, the repetitive and sustained physical stressors must arise out of and occur in the course of employment. The bill explicitly states that such injuries or diseases shall be covered, even if previous legal decisions might have ruled otherwise. This change aims to provide broader protection for workers who develop injuries or diseases from long-term physical stress in their work environment, making it easier for employees to receive workers' compensation benefits for such conditions.

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https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20251/SB788