Our tongue-in-cheek look at how Donald Trump could fix the Michigan workers’ compensation system if elected.
We are political junkies and the 2016 election season has not disappointed. We thought it would be fun to congratulate Donald Trump on his primary win with some political satire. Here is our twist on workers’ compensation in Michigan.
“We’re going to build a wall and you’re going to watch it be constructed for 8 hours each day!”
A disabled employee must accept “reasonable employment” if offered. Some employers abuse this power and require humiliating or demanding tasks be performed. A common tactic is to make an employee sit in a chair for 8 hours and watch an empty parking lot. If an employee quits they give up wage loss benefits.
“Michigan Workers’ compensation reform? You are going to love it!”
Michigan law underwent significant legislative reforms in 2011. We have now seen the pure premium advisory rate decline 27.7% with an estimated $327 million in employer savings. This is occurring while Michigan families continue to struggle with less benefits. Do you love it yet?
“We don’t win workers’ compensation cases anymore!”
Statistics published by the WCA show magistrates gave just 23 open awards in 2015. Michigan law overwhelmingly favors insurance companies and corporate interests.
“I would end Obamacare and replace it with something.”
One of the most important benefits under Michigan workers’ compensation is access to medical care. Did you know that a person must wait 28 days to see their own doctor? Getting medical treatment approved can be extremely difficult. It is also rumored that “evidence based medicine” could be implemented in 2016. This would give bureaucrats in Lansing full control over medical decision making.
“Let’s take jobs back from China or we can just pretend that we did.”
Disabled employees are supposed to receive 80% of their after-tax average weekly wage. This is typically about 60% of gross pay. Not exactly a windfall for a person who is unable to do their job. Weekly benefits can be reduced even further based upon “phantom wages” if the insurance company says a person could get another job. It does not matter if the job is actually offered.
Michigan Workers Comp Lawyers never charges a fee to evaluate a potential case. Our law firm has represented injured and disabled workers exclusively for more than 35 years. Call (855) 221-2667 for a free consultation today.
Related information:
Who pays for a 28% reduction in premiums?
Photo courtesy of Creative Commons, by Alan Cleaver.
