MS HB169

Increases the maximum total compensation recovery under workers' compensation from 450 weeks to 520 weeks of the average state weekly wage (66-2/3% rate), excluding medical payments and permanent total disability compensation.

Removes the 450-week cap on permanent total disability benefits, allowing compensation to be paid to the employee until their death rather than ceasing at a fixed maximum.

Updates maximum benefit limits in temporary total disability, temporary partial disability, and death benefit cases from 450 weeks to 520 weeks.

Excludes permanent total disability compensation from the overall maximum recovery cap calculation, ensuring these benefits are paid separately and without the 520-week limitation.

Effective date is July 1, 2017.