HB 24-1220

House Bill 24-1220, which has been signed into law in Colorado, allows workers who are receiving compensation benefits and have driving restrictions from their doctor to refuse modified job offers that require them to drive. The bill also increases the financial compensation for permanent impairment based on injury severity, raising the cap for lower impairment ratings up to $185,000 and higher ratings up to $300,000. Additionally, it mandates that workers' compensation insurers pay benefits through direct deposit if requested by the claimant. Parts of this bill will take effect in August 2024, while other parts will start on January 1, 2025. This law primarily affects injured workers and their employers or insurance providers.

Official Summary

The act allows a claimant for workers' compensation benefits to refuse an offer of modified employment if the employment requires the claimant to drive to or from work and the treating physician has restricted the claimant from driving. The act adds the loss of an ear to the list of other body parts for which an injured worker can receive whole person permanent impairment benefits. The act increases the current limitations on the amount of money a claimant may claim based on the claimant's impairment rating as follows: For an impairment rating of 19% or less, from $75,000 to $185,000; and For an impairment rating greater than 19%, from $150,000 to $300,000. The act requires a workers' compensation insurer to pay benefits to a claimant by direct deposit upon request by the claimant. APPROVED by Governor June 4, 2024 PORTIONS EFFECTIVE August 7, 2024 PORTIONS EFFECTIVE January 1, 2025(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

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