DISABILITY COMPENSATION IN COUNTIES OF 290,000 TO 500,000.

(a) The commissioners court of a county with a population of 290,000 to 500,000 shall provide for the payment of a county employee who is made totally unfit to continue employment because of a physical injury occurring in the actual and active discharge of a duty. The payment may not cover more than six months of disability. The payment must be in the following amounts:

(1) full salary for each month, or part of a month, of total disability during the first three months of the disability; and

(2) one-half salary for each month, or part of a month, of total disability during the second three months of the disability.

(b) The commissioners court, before making an award for disability under this section, shall conduct a hearing to determine the merits of the claim and may subpoena and examine witnesses to assist in the determination. The commissioners court may grant or refuse an award.

(c) The employee making a claim under this section may appeal a decision of the commissioners court within 10 days after the date of the decision. Appeal is by trial de novo before the court that has jurisdiction of the amount involved.