White v. General Motors Corp.

In this case, we are asked to decide whether MCL 418.373(1); MSA 17.237(373)(1)1 of the Workers’ Disability Compensation Act has retroactive application. We would hold that § 373 affects substantive rights and, thus, applies prospectively to those employees injured on or after January 1, 1982, the amendment’s effective date. Accordingly, we would reverse the judgment of the Court of Appeals and reinstate the decision of the Workers’ Compensation Appeal Board.

I. FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

Plaintiff White was employed for thirty-seven *390years by defendant. On March 31, 1980, plaintiff…