A Virginia House bill was signed into law last week that amends the state workers' compensation law on employers' duty to furnish medical attention and raises the cost limit for employers.

HB 689, signed Friday, provides that as long as necessary after an accident, an employer must furnish or cause to be furnished free of charge a physician chosen by the injured employee from a panel of at least three physicians selected by the employer. The law also adds the cost of scooters to the list of medical equipment an employer is required to furnish to an employee under certain circumstances under comp law.

The law raises the limit on the aggregate cost of items and modifications required to be furnished by an employer to an injured employee, from $42,000 to $55,000, which will be increased on an annual basis.

This law will take effect July 1.

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