Bill > SB801

This bill modifies Pennsylvania's Workers' Compensation Act to address diseases with long latency periods, which are medical conditions that take an extended time to develop after workplace exposure. Specifically, the bill allows workers to file claims for occupational diseases that manifest more than 300 weeks (roughly 5.7 years) after workplace exposure, provided they file the claim within three years of receiving a diagnosis. The bill requires the claimant to prove the disease has a latency period longer than 300 weeks. For workers who have died, their survivors can file death claims within 300 weeks of death or three years after the death date, depending on whether the worker was receiving benefits. If an insurer is not liable for a claim due to the previous time limitations, the Workers' Compensation Security Fund may pay compensable claims. The bill also clarifies that workers' compensation provides the exclusive remedy for injuries or diseases arising from hazardous occupational exposure, regardless of whether the disease is compensable. The legislation applies retroactively to the date of the last injurious exposure, meaning claims can be based on workplace hazards that occurred before the bill's effective date, which provides significant relief for workers who have developed long-latency occupational diseases.

Labor and Employment

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2025&sind=0&body=S&type=B&bn=801