HB2479 Summary

• Amends the Workers' Compensation Act and Workers' Occupational Diseases Act to allow civil actions against employers when recovery of workers' compensation benefits is barred by a period of repose or repose provision.

• Employees, their heirs, and authorized representatives gain a nonwaivable right to bring civil actions, including wrongful death and Probate Act claims, against any employer when compensation benefits are precluded due to repose periods.

• Adds exceptions to Sections 5 and 11 of both Acts, which previously barred common law or statutory damage claims against employers, by carving out injuries and occupational diseases affected by repose limitations.

• Effective immediately upon passage.