Enhanced Workers’ Compensation Benefits for Health Care Workers and Educators Assaulted at Work

Effective October 1, 2026

The Act increases workers’ compensation benefits for health care workers and educators who are injured due to a physical assault resulting from negligent conduct while working. If the assault renders the worker totally or partially unable to work, the worker is entitled to replacement wage benefits equal to 100% of the worker’s average weekly wage, with no caps. Currently, wage replacement benefits are about 75% of the average weekly wage, with caps.

The worker must also be compensated for reasonable medical expenses that are related to the assault, as well as lost wages for missed work from attending a court appearance connected to the incident. The worker must continue to receive full pay while they are absent from work due to the injury or court appearance. The employer may, however, deduct any workers’ compensation amounts from wage payments. The absences cannot be counted against the worker’s sick leave, vacation, or personal time.

These benefits apply to:

• Teachers

• Members of education boards

• Student teachers

• Health care workers who provide direct patient care

• Health care workers who have direct contact with the patient or the patient’s family.