Governor Dave Heineman of Nebraska signed bill LB780 on Wednesday, April 13, which allows Nebraska’s police officers, firefighters, and other first responders to qualify for workers compensation should they experience severe psychological trauma on the job.

Heineman signed the bill despite his concerns that the bill was not specific enough regarding the cost of this new workers compensation.

Estimates suggest that the bill will result in a statewide average of 2 claims per year, at a cost of $4,000 per case. Opponents of the bill argue that this is inaccurate.

Supporters of the bill cite the intense psychological and mental trauma that workers involved in grisly encounters can experience, claiming it can be much worse than physical injury.

Contact the New Jersey workers compensation attorneys of Levinson Axelrod by calling 800-346-5529 if you have questions about what qualifies you for workers compensation or if you feel you been unjustly denied workers compensation coverage.