WLBT 3 - Jackson, MS: Workers Compensation Rally

Workers Compensation Rally

By David Kenney 
david@wlbt.net

A rally at the state capitol this afternoon was held on behalf of all workers in Mississippi.

Members of the Mississippi Workers Center for Human Rights want to see better benefits when an on-the-job injury occurs. The group is calling for state lawmakers to increase comp days for injured workers from 450 to 500.

Supporters of the workers compensation legislation say the money provided to injured workers is not enough to cover medical costs , as well as other bills that can pile up while one is out of work.

Jaribu Hill, President of the Center for Human Rights stated, "The workers comp system we have hasn't been looked at since 1948. It's a long time ago – 60 years ago – [since] there's been any change or any overhaul to the law, so we want to see change. We want to see the people become more aware of what is going on in our community in terms of workers."

Last year there were over 12,000 Mississippians injured on the job. Mississippi is one of 17 states with a ceiling on the amount people can receive through workers compensation.