AFSCME, Council 93, Local 419 v. Sheriff of Suffolk County

The issue presented is whether the fourteen-day deadline for the initial approval or denial of workers’ compensation benefits set out in G. L. c. 152, § 7(1), applies to additional assault pay benefits to be awarded to correction officers pursuant to G. L. c. 126, § 18A, as amended by St. 1977, c. 1002, and St. 1970, c. 800. Members of AFSCME, Council 93, Local 419 (union), who are employed by the sheriff of Suffolk County (sheriff), sought declaratory and injunctive relief to impose the fourteen-day limitation on the sheriff’s review of their claims for assault pay benefits. A Superior Court…