Neb. Bill Would Expand Workers’ Comp Coverage for Some Mental Illnesses

Nebraska lawmakers are considering a big change in workers’ compensation law that could cost millions but that supporters say would provide needed help for injuries that often go unseen.

Under the bill (LB1082) from Sen. Abbie Cornett of Bellevue, workers could collect workers’ compensation for mental illnesses caused by witnessing violent acts while on the job.

Those covered under such a law could include employees of Von Maur in Omaha who saw Robert Hawkins kill eight people and himself in December.

The issue came to light last year when the state Supreme Court turned down workers’ compensation for the family of a state trooper who killed himself after the 2002 bank murders in Norfolk.

Topics Workers' Compensation