GQ Corner

Q. Could a juror be considered an employee of a City since they are being paid? 

A. No. But political subdivisions may extend them optional coverage under section 504.013 of the Labor Code.

Q. We have a police officer killed in the line of duty 10/9/2014. This pre-dates the changes to the law about remarriage. Current Rule 132.7 was amended 3/20/16, and again 12/20/18. Rule 132.7(f) states that the eligibility for death benefits regardless of remarriage applies to: (1) eligible spouses who remarry on or after 9/1/17; and (2) eligible spouses who remarried between 9/1/15 and 8/31/17, if the claim is based on a compensable injury that occurred on or after 9/1/15.

My question is, whether this rule retroactively applies to our 10/9/14 injury/fatality?

A. The rule is based on Sec. 408.183(b-1). Part of that subsection states: “This subsection applies regardless of the date on which the death of the first responder occurred.” Based on this language, your claim would be controlled by the statute and the rule.