Alabama bill could give teachers access to workers’ compensation

MONTGOMERY, Ala. ( WIAT ) — Currently, Alabama public school system employees do not receive workers’ compensation — but that could change next year.

Under current law, education employees have to pay for injuries out of pocket and request a reimbursement from the Board of Adjustment. The board determines how much an employee receives.

A bill sponsored by State Sen. Sam Givhan (R-Huntsville) would give teachers workers’ compensation automatically.

“People assume that teachers and other public education employees have worker’s compensation insurance,” Givhan said. “And that’s just something that a lot of people are really surprised about.”

Former middle school teacher Karon Bullock broke her arm and prosthetic leg after she tripped over a student’s backpack while working bus duty.

“I was told ‘Well, you only have 90 days to solve this,'” Bullock said. “I’m looking at two massive surgeries, and I’m like ‘Oh my gosh, I just need to figure out what my rights are.'”

Bullock says it took a year and a half to get reimbursed for just some of her medical expenses. She said the injuries she sustained were career-ending.

“Thousands upon thousands of dollars of out-of-pocket expenses,” Bullock said. “I’ve had to have three massive orthopedic surgeries. My husband had to take 12 weeks off work to take care of me because I didn’t have an arm or a leg I could use.”

Bullock said that the bill brings accountability to the education system.

“Accountability that comes with workers’ compensation and acknowledging the wrongdoing,” she said. “Make it where our schools are safer places for both teachers and students.”

The bill died at the end of this year’s session. It has since been refiled and will go before lawmakers again next year.

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