SB1429 Summary

• Amends the Workers' Compensation Act to add definitions of "accident" and "injury," establishing that an injury must arise out of and in the course of employment and be the "major contributing cause" (more than 50% responsible) of any resulting condition.

• Establishes injury determination standards requiring reasonable medical certainty based on objective findings; excludes injuries from idiopathic causes and hazards unrelated to employment to which employees would be equally exposed outside work.

• Modifies compensation calculation for partial disability under Section 8(d)(2) by capping cumulative awards at 500 weeks total, with deductions for prior injuries to the same body part.

• Declares that injuries to the shoulder shall be considered injuries to the arm and injuries to the hip shall be considered injuries to the leg for purposes of awards under the schedule.

• Revises Section 10 wage calculation rules to address situations involving noncontinuous employment, less than full-time work, and multiple concurrent employers.