Bill > LB617

This bill modifies the Nebraska Workers' Compensation Act by changing the legal defenses available to employers in workers' compensation cases. Specifically, the bill eliminates three traditional defenses that employers previously could use to avoid liability: (1) employee negligence (unless the negligence was willful or the employee was intoxicated), (2) injuries caused by a fellow employee's negligence, and (3) the employee's assumption of inherent workplace risks. These changes are designed to make it easier for workers to receive compensation for workplace injuries by removing common legal barriers that could previously prevent workers from obtaining benefits. The bill amends section 48-102 of the Nebraska Revised Statutes and simultaneously repeals the original version of that section, effectively replacing the existing language with the new, more worker-friendly provisions. This modification represents a significant shift in workers' compensation law by expanding protections for employees and limiting employers' ability to avoid responsibility for workplace injuries.

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https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=59805