MI HB5748

Removes the exclusive remedy provision that prevented employees from suing employers for workplace injuries, instead making workers' compensation benefits an optional alternative to filing a civil action.

Allows employees to choose between accepting workers' compensation benefits or pursuing a personal injury lawsuit against their employer for workplace injuries or occupational diseases.

Eliminates the intentional tort exception language that previously allowed lawsuits only when an employer deliberately acted with specific intent to injure an employee with actual knowledge that injury was certain.

Provides that if an employee chooses to proceed under the workers' compensation act, recovery of benefits becomes the exclusive remedy against the employer.

Defines "employee" to include injured persons and their representatives, and "employer" to include insurers and service agents for self-insured employers providing safety services.