MontCo council approves new payment system for worker injuries

The Montgomery County Council voted Tuesday to create a two-tiered disability program for its employees based on the severity of each worker’s injury. The bill, which passed 7-1, creates a system that distinguishes between employees with a “partial incapacity” and a “total incapacity” — “between a bad back and paralysis,” said Councilman Phil Andrews, D-Gaithersburg/Rockville, one of the bill’s sponsors. The new policy is expected to save the county $2.7 million a year.

Only Councilman George Leventhal, D-at large, voted against the bill. Councilman Marc Elrich, D-at large, abstained.