GOVERNOR'S VETO

Pursuant to Article V, Section 6, of the Constitution of Virginia, I veto House Bill 974, which allows certain evidence for specific injuries arising from employment related to workers' compensation.   

Current law provides a balanced approach to workers' compensation with claims adjudicated by the Virginia Workers' Compensation Commission in a timely and fair manner. This proposal, however, creates a disproportionate imbalance in favor of one party.

Under current law, to prove work-relatedness, injured workers must demonstrate that the injury resulted from something related to their employment and occurred during work hours and at the workplace. This proposal reduces the burden of proof for employees to demonstrate the work-relatedness of a fall incident.

Employees seeking workers' compensation for unexplained falls may rely on circumstantial evidence and hearsay; however, employers disputing the work-related aspect must provide direct evidence, disturbing the existing balance. 

Accordingly, I veto this bill.