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Bill

HB 780

WORKERS COMPENSATION: Provides relative to penalties and attorney fees for nonpayment, discontinuance of payment, or failure to consent for a medical treatment for workers' compensation claims, controversion of benefits, and preliminary determination hearings

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Gabe Firment

HB 780 strengthens worker protections by imposing penalties and attorney fees on Louisiana insurers who unlawfully deny or delay workers' compensation benefits and medical treatment authorization.

Read second time by title and referred to the Committee on Judiciary A.
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 780

Legislative bill overview

HB 780 modifies Louisiana's workers' compensation system by establishing penalties and attorney fee provisions for insurers who fail to pay benefits, discontinue payments without justification, or refuse to authorize necessary medical treatment. The bill also addresses procedures for controverted benefits and preliminary determination hearings, strengthening enforcement mechanisms against non-compliant insurers.

Why is this important

Workers' compensation is a critical safety net for injured workers, and delayed or denied payments can create severe financial hardship for vulnerable populations. This bill directly affects the balance of power between injured workers and insurance companies by making non-compliance more costly, potentially improving timely benefit delivery and medical access for claimants.

Potential points of contention

  • Business impact: Insurance companies argue that increased penalties and attorney fees will raise workers' compensation insurance costs for employers, potentially affecting small business operations and competitiveness
  • Litigation incentives: Stricter penalties may encourage more legal disputes and attorney involvement, potentially increasing system complexity and administrative burden on courts
  • Definition clarity: The bill's language around "failure to consent" for medical treatment may create disputes over which treatments are medically necessary versus discretionary, leading to prolonged disagreements between insurers and medical providers

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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