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ARTICLE I. ADMINISTRATION
Rule 101
Location of Offices and Hours of Business
The offices of the North Carolina Industrial Commission (hereinafter "Industrial
Commission") are located in the Dobbs Building, 430 North Salisbury Street, in
Raleigh, North Carolina, 27611. The General Mailing Address is
North Carolina Industrial Commission, 4319 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-4319.
The same office hours will be observed by the Industrial Commission as are, or may
be, observed by other State offices in Raleigh. Documents may be filed The
offices are open between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. to accept
documents for filing. only.
Rule 102
Transaction of Business by the Commission
The Industrial Commission will remain in continuous session subject to the call of the
Chairman to meet as a body for the purpose of transacting such business
as may come before it.
In reviewing an Opinion and Award of a Deputy Commissioner or of a sole Commissioner acting as the hearing officer, the Full Commission may sit en banc or in panels of three.
Rule 103
Official Forms
(1) The Industrial Commission will supply, on request, forms identified by number and title as follows:
Form 17 Workers Compensation Notice
Form 18 Notice of Accident to Employer
(N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-22)and Claim of Employee or His Personal Representative or Dependents (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-22 through 24)Form 18B Claim by Employee or His Personal Representative or Dependents for Workers Compensation Benefits for Lung Damage, Including Asbestosis, Silicosis, and Byssinosis (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-53)
Form 18M Employees Claim for Additional Medical Compensation
Form 19 Employers Report of Employees Injury to
Employeethe Industrial CommissionForm 21
rev.Agreement for Compensation for Disability Pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-82Form 22 Statement of Days Worked and Earnings of Injured Employee (Wage Chart)
Form 24
rev.Application to Terminate or Suspend Payment of Compensation Pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-18.1Form 25C Authorization for Rehabilitation Professional to Obtain Medical Records of Current Treatment
Form 25D Dentists Itemized Statement of Charges for Treatment and Certification of Treatment of Disability
Form 25M Physicians Itemized Statement of Charges for Treatment and Certification of Treatment
Form 25N Notice to the Industrial Commission of Assignment of Rehabilitation Professional
Form 25R
rev.Evaluation for Permanent ImpairmentForm 25T Itemized Statement of Charges for Travel
Form 25P Itemized Statement of Charges for Drugs
Form UB-92 Hospital Bill
Form 26
rev.Supplemental Agreement as to Payment of Compensation Pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-82Form 26D Agreement for Compensation Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-37
Form 28
rev.Return to Work ReportForm 28B
rev.Report of Employer or Carrier/Administrator of Compensation and Medical Compensation Paid and Notice of Right to Additional Medical CompensationForm 28T Notice of Termination of Compensation by Reason of Trial Return to Work Pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-18.1(b) and N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-32.1
Form 28U Employees Request that Compensation be Reinstated After Unsuccessful Trial Return to Work Pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-32.1
Form 29 Supplementary Report for Fatal Accidents
Form 30 Agreement for Compensation for Death
Form 30D Notice of Death Award (Approval of Agreement)
Form 31 Application for Lump Sum Award
Form 33 Request that Claim be Assigned for Hearing
Form 33R Response to Request that Claim be Assigned for Hearing
Form 36
rev.Subpoena for Witness and Subpoena to Produce Items or DocumentsForm 42 Application for Appointment of Guardian Ad Litem
Form 44 Application for Review
Form 50 Itemized Statement of Charge for Nursing
Form 51 Consolidated Fiscal Annual Report of "Medical Only" and "Lost Time" Cases
Form 60 Employers Admission of Employees Right to Compensation Pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-18(b)
Form 61 Denial of Workers Compensation Claim Pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-18(c) and (d)
Form 62 Notice of Reinstatement of Compensation Pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-32.1 and N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-18(b)
Form 63 Notice to Employee of Payment of Compensation Without Prejudice to Later Deny the Claim Pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-18(d)
Form 90 Report of Earnings
Form IZ-510 Medical Bill Analysis Used for Approval and Reduction of Medical Bills
Form MCS2 Petition for Order Referring Case to Mediated Settlement Conference
Form MCS4 Designation of Mediator
Form MCS5 Report of Mediator
Form MCS6 Mediators Declaration of Interest and Qualifications
Form MCS7 Report of Evaluator
The mailing address for each Industrial Commission Form appears at the bottom right corner of the Form.
(2) The use of any printed forms other than those approved and adopted by the
Industrial Commission is prohibited. Insurance carriers, self-insureds, attorneys and
other parties may photocopy reproduce approved forms for
their own use, provided:
(a) The color of the paper upon which the form is printed may be substantially identical to that used on the approved Industrial
Commissions form, at the option of the Employer or Carrier/Administrator and the Employee.(b)(a) No statement, question, or information blank contained on the approved Industrial Commissions form is omitted from the substituted form.
(c)(b) Such substituted form is substantially identical in size and format with the approved Industrial Commissions form.
(3) The following forms may be utilized in preparing routine orders for the signature of a Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner, and are appended at the end of these Rules:
Form I Order for Third Party Recovery Distribution per N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-10.2
Form IIa Order Approving Compromise Settlement Agreement (admitted liability, medical paid) and Third Party Distribution
Form IIb Order Approving Compromise Settlement Agreement (denied liability, unpaid medical) and Third Party Distribution
Form IIIa Order for Approving Compromise Settlement Agreements (admitted liability, medical paid)
Form IIIb Order for Approving Compromise Settlement Agreements (denied liability, unpaid medical)
(4) Copies of rules, forms and Industrial Commission Minutes can be obtained by
contacting the Administrators Office of the Industrial Commission, 430 N.
Salisbury Street, Raleigh, North Carolina 27611 4319 Mail Service Center,
Raleigh, NC 27699-4319.
(5) The Amendments to this Rule are effective March 15, 1995, except
as to Form 28T, Form 28U, and Form 62 which are effective February
15, 1995.
(Amended effective January 1, 1992; Amended
Rule 104
Employers Report of Injury
An employer shall immediately report to its carrier or
administrator any injury or occupational disease, or allegation by an employee
of an injury or occupational disease, sustained in the course of employment for
which the attention of a physician is needed or actually sought. Within five
days of knowledge of the injury or allegation, the employer or
carrier/administrator or its successor in interest shall file with the
Industrial Commission and provide a copy to the employee of a
Form 19,
Employer’s Report of Employee’s Injury to the Industrial Commission, if
injury causes the employee to be absent from work for more than one day and
or the employee’s medical compensation is greater than an amount which is
established periodically by the Industrial Commission in its Minutes. The
employer may record the employee’s or another person’s description of the injury
on the Form 19
without admitting the truth of the information.
In addition to providing the Form 19 to the employee, the employer or carrier/administrator shall also provide a blank Form 18 for use by the employee.
The front of the Form 19 shall prominently display the following statement: “To the Employee: This Form 19 is not your claim for workers’ compensation benefits. To make a claim, you must complete and sign the enclosed Form 18 and mail it to the Claims Section, North Carolina Industrial Commission, 4334 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 28799-4334 within two years of the date of your injury or last payment of medical compensation. For occupational diseases, the claim must be filed within two years of the date of disability and the date your doctor told you that you have a work-related disease, whichever is later.”
ARTICLE II. NOTICE OF ACT
Rule 201
Notice of Employment Subject to the Act
(
1) Pursuant to the provisions of N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-93, all employers subject to the provisions of the Workers Compensation Act shall post in a conspicuous location in places of employment a Form 17, Workers Compensation Notice, to give notice to the employees that they are in an employment subject to the provisions of the Workers Compensation Act and that their employer has obtained workers compensation coverage or has qualified as self-insured for workers compensation purposes.(2) Should the employer allow its workers compensation coverage to lapse or cease
to qualify as a self-insured, the employer shall remove within five (5)
working days any Form 17 and any other notice indicating otherwise.
(3) The Amendments to this Rule are effective March 15, 1995.
ARTICLE III. INSURANCE
Rule 301
Proof of Insurance Coverage
Every employer coming within subject to the provisions
of the Act shall file with the Industrial Commission proof that it has obtained
workers compensation insurance pursuant to of compliance with
the insurance provisions of the Act. This requirement may be accomplished
satisfied by:
(1) A notice from the employers insurance carrier, through the North Carolina Rate Bureau, certifying that coverage has been received.
(2) A notice from the North Carolina Department of Insurance, through the Rate Bureau, certifying that the employer has qualified as a self-insured employer or as a member of a self-insurance fund pursuant to the Act.
(3) All employers have an affirmative obligation to report to the Rate Bureau any changes in coverage within 30 days.
(4) All employers must notify the Department of Insurance when it becomes a member of a self-insurance fund.
ARTICLE IV. DISABILITY, COMPENSATION, FEES
Rule 401
When Disability Begins for Purpose of Computing Compensation
(1) If the injured employee is not paid wages for the entire day on which the injury occurred, the seven-day waiting period prescribed by the Act shall include the day of injury regardless of the hour of the injury.
(2) If the injured employee is paid wages for the entire day on which he is injured and fails to return to work on his next regular workday because of the injury, the seven-day waiting period shall begin with the first calendar day following his injury, even though this may or may not be a regularly scheduled workday.
(3) All days, or parts of days, when the injured employee is unable to earn a full days wages, or is not paid a full days wages due to injury, shall be counted in computing the waiting period even though the days may not be consecutive, and even though these are not regularly scheduled workdays.
(4) If the permanent disability period, when added to the temporary disability period,
exceeds twenty-one 21 days, there is no waiting period.
Rule 402
Computation of Daily Wage
In all cases involving a fractional part of a week, the daily wage shall be computed on the basis of one-seventh of the average weekly wage.
Rule 403
Manner of Payment of Compensation
(1) All payments of compensation must be made directly to the employee, dependent, guardian or personal representative entitled thereto unless otherwise ordered by the Industrial Commission. At the employees request, payment of compensation shall be mailed by first class mail, postage pre-paid, to an address specified by the employee, unless otherwise directed by the Industrial Commission.
(2) All payments of compensation must be made in strict accordance with the award issued by the Industrial Commission.
Rule 404
Termination of Compensation
(1) Payments of compensation undertaken pursuant to an award of the Industrial
Commission shall continue until the terms of the award have been fully satisfied. provided,
however, that In cases where the award is to pay
compensation during disability, there is a rebuttable presumption that disability
continues until the employee returns to suitable employment. work.
No application to terminate or suspend compensation shall be approved without a formal
hearing if the effect of such approval is to set aside the provisions of an award of the
Industrial Commission.
(2) When an employer or carrier/administrator seeks to terminate or suspend
compensation being paid pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-29 for a reason other than those
specified in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-18(d), payment without prejudice, or N.C. Gen. Stat. §
97-18.1(b), trial return to work, the employer or carrier/administrator shall should notify the
employee and the employees attorney of record, if any, on Form 24 rev.,
"Application to Stop Payment of Compensation." The employer or
carrier/administrator shall specify the legal grounds and the alleged facts
supporting the application, and shall complete the blank space in the
"Important Notice to Employee" portion of Form 24 rev. by
inserting a date seventeen 17 days from the date the employer or
carrier/administrator deposits the completed Form 24 rev. in the mail to
the employee and the employees attorney of record, if any. The original of the Form
24 rev. and the attached documents shall be sent to the Industrial
Commission at the same time and by the same method by which a copy of the
Form 24 rev. and attached documents are sent to the employee and the
employees attorney of record, if any. The Form 24 rev. shall
specify the number of pages of documents attached which are to be considered by the
Industrial Commission. Failure to specify the number of pages may result in the refusal of
the Industrial Commission to accept the same for filing. If the employee or the
employees attorney of record, if any, objects by the date inserted on the
employers Form 24 rev., or within such additional reasonable time
as the Industrial Commission may allow, the Industrial Commission shall set the case for
an informal hearing, unless waived by the parties in favor of a formal hearing.
A copy of any objection shall be sent, with any supporting documents, to the employer and
carrier/administrator. The term "carrier/administrator" also includes any
successor in interest.
(3) If an employee does not object within the allowed time, the Industrial Commission
shall review the Form 24 rev. and any attached documentation, and an
Administrative Decision and Order may be rendered without an informal hearing as to
whether compensation shall be terminated or suspended, except as provided in paragraph (6)
below. Either party may seek administrative review of the Administrative
Decision and Order as provided by Rule 703.
(4) If the employee timely objects to the Form 24 rev., the Industrial
Commission shall conduct an informal hearing within twenty-five 25 days
of the receipt by the Industrial Commission of the Form 24 rev., unless
the time is extended for good cause shown. The informal hearing may be by telephone
conference between the Industrial Commission and the parties or their attorneys of record,
if any. When good cause is shown, the informal hearing may be conducted with the parties
or their attorneys of record, if any, personally present with the Industrial Commission in
Raleigh or such other location as is selected by the Industrial Commission. The Industrial
Commission shall make arrangements for the informal hearing with a view towards conducting
the hearing in the most expeditious manner under the circumstances. Except for good cause
shown, the informal hearing shall be no more than thirty 30 minutes, with
each side given ten 10 minutes to present its case and five (5)
minutes for rebuttal. Notwithstanding the above, the employer or carrier/administrator may
waive the right to an informal hearing, and proceed to a formal hearing by filing a
request for hearing on a Form 33. A decision on the application shall be made within
five days after the completion of the informal hearing.
(5) A decision to terminate, suspend, or continue compensation shall be made
within five days after the completion of the informal hearing. except as
provided in paragraph (6) below. Either party may appeal the Administrative
Decision and Order of the Industrial Commission as provided by Rule 703. A Deputy
Commissioner shall conduct a hearing which shall be de novo. The hearing shall be
peremptorily set and shall not require a Form 33. The employer has the burden of producing
evidence on the issue of the employers application for termination or suspension of
compensation. If the Deputy Commissioner reverses an order previously granting a Form 24
motion, the employer or carrier/administrator shall promptly resume compensation or
otherwise comply with the Deputy Commissioners decision, notwithstanding any appeal
or application for review to the Full Commission under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-85.
(6) In the event the Industrial Commission is unable to reach a decision after an
informal hearing, the Industrial Commission shall issue an order to that effect
which shall be in lieu of a Form 33 and place the case shall
be placed on the formal hearing docket. If additional issues are to be
addressed, and the employer or carrier/administrator shall be
required within thirty 30 days of the date of the Administrative Decision
and Order to file a Form 33 if additional issues are to be addressed, or
to notify the Industrial Commission that a formal hearing is not currently necessary. The
effect of placing the case on the docket shall be the same as if the Form 24 rev.
were denied, and compensation shall continue until such time as the case is decided by a
Commissioner or a Deputy Commissioner following a formal hearing.
(7) Any Administrative Decision and Order shall be mailed to the non-prevailing party by certified mail.
(8) No order issued as a result of an informal Form 24 hearing shall terminate or suspend compensation retroactively to a date preceding the filing date of the filing of the Form 24. Compensation may be terminated retroactively without a formal hearing where there is agreement by the parties, where allowed by statute, or where the employee is incarcerated. Otherwise, retroactive termination or suspension of compensation to a date preceding the filing of a Form 24 may be ordered as a result of a formal hearing. Additionally, nothing shall impair an employers right to seek a credit pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-42.
(9) The Amendments to this Rule are effective March 15, 1995.
Rule 404A
Trial Return to Work
(1) Except as provided in subparagraph (7), when compensation for total disability being paid pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-29 is terminated because the employee has returned to work for the same or a different employer, such termination is subject to the trial return to work provisions of N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-32.1. When compensation is terminated under these circumstances, the employer or carrier/administrator shall, within 16 days of the termination of compensation, file a Form 28T with the Industrial Commission and provide a copy of it to the employee and the employees attorney of record, if any.
(2) If during the trial return to work period, the employee must stop working due to
the injury for which compensation had been paid, the employee shall should
complete and file with the Industrial Commission a Form 28U,
without regard to whether the employer or carrier/administrator has filed a Form 28T as
required by paragraph (1) above, and provide a copy of the completed form to the
employer and carrier/administrator. A Form 28U shall contain a section which must be
completed by the physician who imposed the restrictions or one of the
employees authorized treating physicians, certifying that the
employees injury for which compensation had been paid prevents the employee from
continuing the trial return to work. If the employee returned to work with an employer
other than the employer at the time of injury, the employee must complete the
"Employees Release and Request For Employment Information" section of a
Form 28U. An employees failure to provide a Form 28U does not preclude a
subsequent finding by the Commission that the trial return to work was unsuccessful.
(3) Upon receipt of a properly completed Form 28U, the employer or
carrier/administrator shall forthwith promptly resume
payment of compensation for total disability. If the employee fails to provide the
required certification of the an authorized treating
physician as specified in subsection 2 above, or if the employee fails to
execute the "Employees Release and Request" section of a Form 28U, if
required pursuant to paragraph (2) above, the employer or carrier/administrator shall not
be required to resume payment of compensation. Instead, in such circumstances, the
employer or carrier/administrator shall forthwith promptly
return a Form 28U to the employee and the employees attorney of record, if any,
along with a statement explaining the reason the Form 28U is being returned and the reason
compensation is not being reinstated.
(4) The reinstated compensation shall be due and payable and subject to the provisions of N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-18(g) on the date and for the period commencing on the date the employer or carrier/administrator receives a properly completed Form 28U certifying an unsuccessful return to work. Such resumption of compensation shall not preclude the employees right to seek, nor the employers or carrier/administrators right to contest, the payment of compensation for the period prior or subsequent to such reinstatement. If it is thereafter determined that any temporary total or temporary partial compensation, including the reinstated compensation, was not due and payable, a credit shall be given against any other compensation determined to be owed.
(5) When the employer or carrier/administrator has received a properly completed Form 28U and contests the employees right to reinstatement of total disability compensation, it may suspend or terminate compensation only as provided in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-18.1 and/or pursuant to the provisions of N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-83 and N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-84.
(6) Upon resumption of payment of compensation for total disability, the employer or carrier/administrator shall complete and file a Form 62 and/or such other forms as may be required by the Workers Compensation Act or by Industrial Commission rule. A copy of the Form 62 shall be sent to the employee and the employees attorney of record, if any.
(7) The trial return to work provisions do not apply to the following:
(a) “Medical only” cases, defined as cases in which the employee is not absent from work more than one day
andor in which medical expenses are less than the amount periodically established by the Industrial Commission in its Minutes;(b) Cases in which the employee has missed fewer than eight
(8)days from work;(c) Cases wherein the employee has been released to return to work by
thean authorized treating physician as specified in subsection 2 above without restriction or limitation except that if theauthorized treatingphysician, withinforty-five45 days of the employees return to work date, determines that the employee is not able to perform the job duties assigned, then the employer or carrier/administrator must resume benefits. If within the same time period, thetreatingphysician determines that the employee may work only with restrictions, then the employee is entitled to a resumption of benefits commencing as of the date of the report, unless the employer is able to offer employment consistent with the restrictions, in which case a trial return to work period shall be deemed to have commenced at the time of the employees initial return to work;(d) Cases wherein the employee has accepted or agreed to accept compensation for permanent partial disability pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-31, unless the trial return to work follows reinstatement of compensation for total disability under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-29; and
(e) Claims pending on or filed after 1 January
1,1995, when the employer or carrier/administrator contests a claim pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-18(d) within the time allowed thereunder.
(8) This Rule is became effective on 15
February 15, 1995, and applies to any employee who leaves work on or
after that date due to a compensable injury.
Rule 405
Computation of Compensation for Amputations
(1) Amputation of any portion of the bone of a distal phalange of a finger or toe at or distal to the visible base of the nail will be considered as equivalent to the loss of one-fourth (¼) of such finger or toe.
(2) Amputation of any portion of the bone of the distal phalange of a finger or toe proximal to the visible base of the nail will be considered as equivalent to the loss of one-half (½) of such finger or toe.
(3) Amputation through the forearm at a point so distal to the elbow as to permit satisfactory use of a prosthetic appliance with retention of full natural elbow function shall be considered amputation of the hand. Otherwise, it shall be considered amputation of the arm.
(4) Amputation through the lower leg at a point so distal to the knee as to permit satisfactory use of a prosthetic appliance with retention of full natural knee function shall be considered amputation of the foot. Otherwise, it shall be considered amputation of the leg.
Rule 406
Discount Table to Be Used in Determining Commuted Values
The Industrial Commission in its discretion will designate the interest rate and methods of computation to be used in arriving at the commuted value of unaccrued compensation payments.
Rule 407
Fees for Medical Compensation
(1) Subject to the provisions of N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-25.3, "Preauthorization," the Industrial Commission shall adopt and publish a Fee Schedule, pursuant to the provisions of N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-26(a), fixing maximum fees, except for hospital fees pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-26(b), which may be charged for medical, surgical, nursing, dental, and rehabilitative services, and medicines, sick travel, and other treatment, including medical and surgical supplies, original artificial members as may reasonably be necessary at the end of the healing period and the replacement of such artificial members when reasonably necessitated by ordinary use or medical circumstances. The fees prescribed in the applicable published Fee Schedule shall govern and apply in all cases. However, in special hardship cases where sufficient reason is demonstrated to the Industrial Commission, fees in excess of those so published may be allowed. Persons who disagree with the allowance of such fees in any case may make application for and obtain a full review of the matter before the Industrial Commission as in all other cases provided. Copies of this published Fee Schedule may be obtained from the Industrial Commissions authorized vendor.
(2) A provider of medical compensation shall submit its statement for services within seventy-five
75 days of the rendition of the service or if treatment is longer, within thirty
30 days after the end of the month during which multiple treatments were provided, or
within such other reasonable period of time as allowed by the Industrial Commission.
However, in cases where liability is initially denied but subsequently admitted or
determined by the Industrial Commission, the time for submission of medical bills shall
run from the time the health care provider received notice of the admission or
determination of liability. Within thirty 30 days of receipt of the
statement, the employer, or carrier, or managed care organization, or administrator on its
behalf, shall pay or submit the statement to the Industrial Commission for approval or
send the provider written objections to the statement. If an employer, carrier/
administrator or managed care organization disputes a portion of the providers bill,
it shall pay the uncontested portion of the bill and shall resolve disputes regarding the
balance of the charges through its contractual arrangement or through the Industrial
Commission. If any bill for medical compensation services is not paid within sixty
60 days after it has been approved by the Industrial Commission and returned to the
responsible party, or, when the employee is receiving treatment through a managed care
organization, within sixty 60 days after the bill has been properly
submitted to an insurer or managed care organization, there shall be added to such unpaid
bill an amount equal to ten percent 10%, which shall be paid at the same
time as, but in addition to, such bill, unless late payment is excused by the Industrial
Commission. When the ten percent 10% addition to the bill is uncontested,
payment shall be made to the provider without notifying or seeking approval from the
Industrial Commission. When the ten percent 10% addition to the bill is
contested, any party may request a hearing by the Industrial Commission pursuant to N.C.
Gen. Stat. § 97-83, and N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-84.
(3) When the responsible party seeks an audit of hospital charges, and has paid the hospital charges in full, the payee hospital, upon request, shall provide all reasonable access and copies of appropriate records, without charge or fee, to the person(s) chosen by the payor to review and audit the records.
(4) The responsible employer or carrier/administrator shall pay the statements of medical compensation providers to whom the employee has been referred by the authorized treating physician, unless said physician has been requested to obtain authorization for referrals or tests; provided, that compliance with such request does not unreasonably delay the treatment or service to be rendered to the employee.
(5) It is the responsibility of the carrier, self-insured employer, group insured as certified by the North Carolina Department of Insurance, and statutory self-insured (state agency or political subdivision) to submit on a yearly basis a Form 51, Consolidated Fiscal Annual Report of "Medical Only" and "Lost Time" Cases.
(6) Employees shall be entitled to reimbursement for sick travel when the travel is
medically necessary and the mileage is twenty 20 or more miles, round
trip, at a rate to be established periodically by the Industrial Commission in its
Minutes. Employees shall be entitled to lodging and meal expenses, at a rate to be
periodically established by the Industrial Commission in its Minutes, when it is medically
necessary that the employee stay overnight at a location away from the employees
usual place of residence. An employee shall be entitled to reimbursement for the costs of
parking or a vehicle for hire, when the costs are medically necessary, at the actual costs
of the expenses, unless the Industrial Commission determines the expenses were not
reasonable.
(7) Any employer/carrier/administrator denying a claim in which medical care has been previously authorized shall be responsible for all costs incurred prior to the date notice of denial is provided to each health care provider to whom authorization has been previously given.
(7) The Amendments to this Rule are effective March 15, 1995.
Rule 408
Additional Medical Compensation
(1) The Industrial Commission may enter an order as contemplated by N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-25.1 providing for additional medical compensation on its own motion or pursuant to a stipulation of the parties or by approval of an agreement of the parties for additional medical compensation reflected in a Form 21 or a Form 26.
(2) If the parties have not reached an agreement regarding additional medical
compensation, an employee may file a claim with the Industrial Commission for an order
pursuant to the terms of N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-25.1, for payment of additional medical
compensation within two (2) years of the date of the last payment of
medical or indemnity compensation, whichever shall last occur. The claim may be made on a
Form 18M or by written request to the Industrial Commission. The filing of this
claim tolls the time limit contained in this paragraph and in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-25.1.
The original and one copy of the claim must be filed with the Industrial Commissions
Office of the Executive Secretary, one copy must be provided to the employer or
carrier/administrator, and one copy must be provided to the attorney of record, if any.
(3) Upon receipt of the claim, the Industrial Commission will notify the employer or carrier/administrator that the claim has been received by providing a copy of a Form 18M or a written claim. The employer or carrier/administrator shall, within 30 days, send to the Industrial Commission and to the employee and the employees attorney of record, if any, a written statement as to whether the employees request is accepted or denied. If the request is denied, the employer or carrier/administrator shall state in writing the grounds for the denial and shall attach any supporting documentation to the statement of denial.
(4) In cases where the employees right to additional medical compensation is
contested, the Form 18M, Request for Additional Medical Compensation, shall be
treated as a Motion to the Executive Secretary for future medical compensation. Defendants
shall have 30 days to respond. An administrative ruling shall thereafter be made subject
to the right of either party to appeal such administrative decision by filing a Form 33,
Request for Hearing, pursuant to the 15 day time limitation contained in Rule 703. An appeal of
the Administrative Decision shall have the effect of staying the decision, provided that
the stay may be dissolved in the discretion of the Commission for good cause shown. a
request that a claim be assigned for hearing may be filed with the Industrial Commission
on a Form 33.
(5) This Rule applies to injuries by accident occurring on or after July 5, 1994.
(6) This Rule is effective March 15, 1995.
Proposed Rule 409
Claims For Death Benefits
(1) Report of Fatalities
(a) Any person claiming entitlement to death benefits under the Act shall give written notice to the employer of the occurrence of death allegedly arising out of and in the course of employment in accordance with N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-22.
(b) An employer shall notify the Commission of the occurrence of a death resulting from an injury or occupational disease allegedly arising out of and in the course of employment by timely filing a Form 19 within five days of knowledge thereof. In addition, an employer or carrier/administrator shall file with the Industrial Commission a Form 29, "Supplementary Report for Fatal Accidents," within 45 days of knowledge of a death or allegation of death resulting from an injury or occupational disease arising out of and in the course of employment.
(2) Identifying Beneficiaries
(a) An employer or carrier/administrator shall make a good faith effort to discover the names and addresses of decedents beneficiaries under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-38 and identify them on the Form 29.
(b) In all cases involving minors or incompetents who are potential beneficiaries, a guardian ad litem shall be appointed pursuant to Rule 604.
(c) If an issue exists as to whether a person is a beneficiary under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-38, the employer or carrier/administrator and/or any person asserting a claim for benefits may file a Form 33 Request for Hearing for a determination by a Deputy Commissioner.
(3) Liability Accepted by Employer
(a) If the employer or carrier/administrator accepts liability for a claim involving an employees death and there are no apparent issues necessitating a hearing for determination of beneficiaries and/or their respective rights, the parties shall submit an Agreement for Compensation for Death executed by all interested parties or their representatives on Industrial Commission Form 30. All agreements must be submitted to the Industrial Commission on a Form 30 as set forth in Rule 501(4), (5) and (6).
(b) Said agreement shall be submitted along with all relevant supporting documents, including death certificate of the employee, any relevant marriage certificate and birth certificates for any dependents.
(4) Liability Denied by Employer
(a) If the employer or carrier/administrator denies liability for a claim involving an employees death, the employer or carrier/administrator shall send a letter of denial to all potential beneficiaries, their attorneys of record, if any, all
known providers ofhealth care providers that have submitted bills to the employer or carrier/administrator, and the Industrial Commission. The denial letter shall specifically state the reasons for the denial and shall further advise of a right to hearing.(b) Any potential beneficiary or the employer or carrier/administrator may request a hearing as provided in Rule 602.
(5) Payment of Death Benefits
(a) Upon approval of the Industrial Commission of a Form 30, Agreement for Compensation for Death, or the issuance of a final order of the Industrial Commission directing payment of death benefits pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-38, payment may be made by the employer or carrier/administrator directly to the beneficiaries, with the following exceptions: (1) any applicable award of attorney fees shall be paid directly to the attorney; and (2) benefits due to a minor or incompetent.
(b)
(i) Subject to the discretion of the Industrial Commission, any benefits due to a minor pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-38 may be paid directly to the parent as natural guardian of the minor for the use and benefit of the minor if the minor remains in the physical custody of the parent as natural guardian. If the minor is not in the physical custody of the parent as natural guardian, the Industrial Commission may order that payment be made through some other proper person appointed by a court of competent jurisdiction.
(ii) In order to protect the interests of an incompetent beneficiary, the Industrial Commission in its discretion may order that benefits be paid to the beneficiarys duly appointed general guardian for the beneficiarys exclusive use and benefit, or to the Clerk of Court in the county in which he resides for the beneficiarys exclusive use and benefit as determined by the Clerk of Court.
(iii) Upon a change in circumstances, any interested party may request that the Industrial Commission amend the terms of any award with respect to a minor or incompetent to direct payment to another party on behalf of the minor or incompetent. When a beneficiary reaches the age of 18, any remaining benefits
due himshall be paid directly tohimthe benficiary.(c) In the case of commuted benefits, only those sums which have not accrued at the time of the entry of the Order are subject to commutation.
(6) Procedure for Award of Death Benefits Based on Stipulated Facts
(a) Where the parties seek a written opinion and award from the Commission regarding the payment of death benefits in uncontested cases in lieu of presenting testimony at a hearing before a Deputy Commissioner, the parties may make application to the Commission for a written opinion by filing a written request with the Dockets Director.
(b) The parties shall file the following information by joint stipulation, affidavit or certified document:
a. a stipulation regarding all jurisdictional matters;
b. the decedents name, social security number, employer, insurance carrier or servicing agent, and the date of the injury giving rise to this claim;
c. a Form 22 or stipulation as to average weekly wage;
d. any affidavits regarding dependents;
e. the death certificate;
f. I.C. Form 29;
g. Guardian ad Litem forms, if any beneficiary is a minor or incompetent;
h. proof of beneficiary status, such as marriage license, birth certificate, or divorce decree;
i. medical records, if any;
j. a statement of payment of medical expenses incurred, if any; and
k. a funeral bill or stipulation as to payment of the funeral benefit.
(c) Upon receipt of said information and notice to potential beneficiaries, the Deputy Commissioner shall render a written Opinion and Award.
(7) Any attorney seeking fees for the representation of an uncontested claim shall file an affidavit or itemized statement in support of an award of attorneys fees.
ARTICLE V. AGREEMENTS
Rule 501
Agreements for Payment of Compensation
(1) To facilitate the prompt payment of compensation
within the time prescribed in
N.C. Gen.
Stat. §97-18, the Industrial Commission will accept memoranda of agreements
on Industrial Commission forms. The agreements may be executed by the
employer or the carrier/administrator where compensation payable under the
agreement does not exceed 52 weeks.
(2) In cases where the
compensation payable under the agreement exceeds 52 weeks, the agreement must be
executed by the employer as well as the carrier/administrator. For good cause
shown, this requirement may be waived by the Industrial Commission.
(3)(2)
No agreement for permanent disability will be approved until all relevant
the material medical and vocational and nursing rehabilitation
reports records known to exist in the case have been filed with the
Industrial Commission. When requested by the Industrial Commission, the
parties shall file any additional documentation necessary to determine whether
the employee is receiving the disability compensation to which he or she is
entitled and that an employee qualifying for disability compensation under both
N.C. Gen.
Stat. §97-29 or
§97-30
and
N.C. Gen.
Stat. §97-31 has the benefit of the more favorable remedy.
(4)(3)
All memoranda of agreements must be submitted to the Industrial Commission in
triplicate on Industrial Commission forms, as specified in paragraph 6 below.
Agreements in proper form and conforming to the provisions of the Workers’
Compensation Act will be approved by the Industrial Commission and a copy
returned to the employer or carrier/administrator and a copy sent to the
employee, unless amended by award, in which event a copy of the award will be
returned with the agreement.
(5)(4)
The employer or carrier/administrator, or the attorney of record, if any, shall
provide the employee and the employee’s attorney of record, if any, a copy of a
Form 21,
Form 26,
Form 26D, and
Form 30, when
the employee signs said forms, and the employer or carrier/administrator will
send a copy of a
Form 28B to the employee and the employee’s attorney of record, if any,
within 16 days after the last payment of compensation for either temporary or
permanent disability, pursuant to
N.C. Gen.
Stat. §97-18.
(6)(5)
All memoranda of agreements for cases which are currently calendared for hearing
before a Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner shall be sent directly to that
Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner at the Industrial Commission. Before
a case is calendared, or once a case has been continued, or removed, or after
the filing of an Opinion and Award, all memoranda of agreements shall be
directed to the Claims Department Section of the Industrial
Commission.
(7)(6)
After the employer or carrier/administrator has received a memorandum of
agreement which has been signed by the employee and employee’s attorney of
record, if any, it shall have 20 days within which to submit the memorandum of
agreement to the Industrial Commission for review and approval or within which
to show good cause for not submitting the memorandum of agreement signed only by
the employee; provided, however, that for good cause shown, the 20 day period
may be extended.
Rule 502
Compromise Settlement Agreements
(1) All compromise settlement agreements must be submitted to the Industrial Commission for approval. Only those agreements deemed fair and just and in the best interest of all parties will be approved.
(2) No compromise agreement will be approved unless it contains the following language or its equivalent:
(a) Where liability is admitted, that the employer or carrier/ administrator undertakes to pay all medical expenses to the date of the agreement.
(b) Where liability is denied, that the employer or carrier/ administrator undertakes to pay all unpaid medical expenses to the date of the agreement. However,
where application of this Rule shall work an injustice, itthis requirement may be waived in the discretion of the Industrial Commission. When submitting an agreement for approval, the employee or employees attorney, if any, shall advise the Commission in writing of the amount of the unpaid medical expenses.(c) That the employee knowingly and intentionally waives the right to further benefits under the Workers Compensation Act for the injury which is the subject of this agreement.
(d) That the employer or carrier/administrator will pay all costs incurred.
(e) That no rights other than those arising under the provisions of the Workers Compensation Act are compromised or released.
(f) That the employee has, or has not, returned to a job or position at the same or a greater average weekly wage as was being earned prior to the injury or occupational disease.
(g) Where the employee has not returned to a job or position at the same or a greater wage as was being earned prior to the injury or occupational disease, that the employee has, or has not, returned to some other job or position, and, if so, the description of the particular job or position, the name of the employer and the average weekly wage earned. This subsection of the Rule shall not apply where the employee is represented by counsel or, even if the employee is not represented by counsel, where the employee certifies that partial wage loss due to an injury or occupational disease is not being claimed.
(h) Where the employee has not returned to a job or position at the same or a greater average weekly wage as was being earned prior to the injury or occupational disease, the agreement shall summarize the employees age, educational level, past vocational training, past work experience, and any impairment, emotional, mental or physical, which predates the current injury or occupational disease. The parties will be relieved of this duty only upon a showing that providing such information creates an unreasonable burden upon them. This subsection of the Rule shall not apply where employee is represented by counsel or, even if the employee is not represented by counsel, where the employee certifies that total wage loss due to an injury or occupational disease is not being claimed.
(3) No compromise agreement will be considered unless the following additional requirements are met:
(a)
AllThe material medical, vocational, and rehabilitation reports known to exist, including but not limited to those pertinent to the employee’s future earning capacity, must be submitted with the agreement to the Industrial Commission by the employer, the carrier/administrator, or the attorney for the employer.(b) The
Pparties and all attorneys of record must have signed the agreement.(c) The settlement agreement must contain a list of all of the known medical expenses of the employee related to the injury to the date of the settlement agreement, including medical expenses that the employer or insurance carrier disputes, when the employer or carrier has not agreed to pay all medical expenses of the employee related to the injury up to the date of the settlement agreement.
(d) If there are unpaid medical expenses which the employer or insurance carrier agree to pay under the settlement agreement, the agreement must contain a list of these unpaid medical expenses, if known, that will be paid by the employer or insurance carrier.
(e) The settlement agreement must contain a finding that the positions of the parties to the agreement are reasonable as to the payment of medical expenses.
(4) When a settlement has been reached, the written agreement must be submitted to the Industrial Commission within a reasonable time. All compromise settlement agreements which are currently calendared for hearing before a Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner shall be sent directly to that Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner at the Industrial Commission. Before a case is calendared, or once a case has been continued, or removed, or after the filing of an Opinion and Award, all compromise settlement agreements shall be directed to the Executive Secretary of the Industrial Commission.
(5) Once a compromise settlement agreement has been approved by the Industrial Commission, the employer or carrier/administrator shall furnish an executed copy of said agreement to the employee or his attorney of record, if any.
(6) An attorney seeking fees in connection with a Compromise Settlement Agreement shall submit to the Commission a copy of the fee agreement with the client.
(6) The Amendments to this Rule are effective March 15, 1995.
Rule 503
Approval of Agreement Constitutes Award
An agreement for the payment of compensation approved by the Industrial Commission shall thereupon become an award of the Industrial Commission and shall be a part of the record in any further proceedings in the matter.
ARTICLE VI. CONTESTED CASES
Rule 601
Employer Obligations Upon Notice, Sanctions, and Denial of Liability
1. The employer or its insurance carrier shall promptly investigate each injury reported or known to the employer and at the earliest practicable time shall admit or deny the employee’s right to compensation or commence payment of compensation as provided in N.C. Gen. Stat. §97-18(b), (c), or (d).
2. When an employee files a claim for compensation with the Commission, the Commission may order reasonable sanctions against the employer or its insurance carrier which does not, within 30 days following notice from the Commission of the filing of the claim, or 90 days when a disease is alleged to be from exposure to chemicals, fumes, or other materials or substances in the workplace, or within such reasonable additional time as the Commission may allow, do one of the following:
(1) Notify the Commission and the employee in writing that it is admitting the employee’s right to compensation and, if applicable, satisfy the requirements for payment of compensation under N.C. Gen. Stat §97-18(b).
(2) Notify the Commission and the employee that it denies the employee’s right to compensation consistent with N.C. Gen. Stat §97-18(c).
(3) Initiate payments without prejudice and without liability and satisfy the requirements of N.C. Gen. Stat §97-18(d).
For purposes of this Rule, reasonable sanctions shall not prohibit the employer or its insurance carrier from contesting the compensability of and its liability for the claim.
Requests for extensions of time to comply with this rule may be addressed to the Executive Secretary.
3. If the employer or insurance carrier denies liability in any case, a detailed statement of the basis of denial must be set forth in a letter of denial or Form 61, which shall be sent to the plaintiff or his attorney of record, if any, all known health care providers which have submitted bills to the employer/carrier, and the Industrial Commission.
The detailed statement of the basis of denial shall set forth a statement of the facts, as alleged by the employer, concerning the injury or any other matter in dispute; a statement identifying the source, by name or date and type of document, of the facts alleged by the employer; and a statement explaining why the facts, as alleged by the employer, do not entitle the employee to workers’ compensation benefits.
Upon notice of a claim, the employer must admit or
deny compensability of the claim to the Commission within 14 days after the
employer has written or actual notice of the claim, or commence payment without
prejudice pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. §97-18(d). If, after 90 days from the date
of filing of a Form 18, or if no Form 18 is filed, the filing of a Form 33 an
employer has neither admitted the claim, filed the notice of denial of the claim
with the Commission, or initiated compensation payments without prejudice
pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. §97-18(d), the employer may be sanctioned pursuant
to Rule 802, in addition to any other sanctions available under the Act.
Requests for waivers of this Rule or extensions may be addressed to the
Executive Secretary. Defendant is not obligated to repeat grounds for denial
previously given.
Rule 602
Request for Hearing
Except as provided by Rule 611(1), Contested claims are shall
be set on the hearing docket only upon the written request of one of the parties,
unless the Industrial Commission orders on its own motion, a hearing or rehearing of the
case in dispute. A claim will not be set on the hearing docket unless
The request for hearing shall contains the following:
(1) The basis of the disagreement between the parties, including a statement of the specific issues raised by the requesting party.
(2) The date of the injury.
(3) The part of the body injured.
(4) The city and county where the injury occurred.
(5) The names and addresses of all doctors and other expert witnesses whose testimony is needed by the requesting party.
(6) The names of all lay witnesses to be called to testify for the requesting party.
(7) An estimate of the time required for the hearing of the case.
(8) The telephone number(s) and address(es) of the party(ies) requesting the hearing.
Utilization of A Form 33, Request for Hearing, which is
completed in full, shall be the sole means of constitute
compliance with this Rule. A copy of the Request for Hearing shall be forwarded to the
self-insured employer or insurance carrier if not represented, or to the defendants
attorney, if one has been retained.
Rule 603
Response to Request for Hearing
No later than forty-five 45 days from receipt of the Request for
Hearing, the self-insured employer, insurance carrier, or counsel for the defendant(s)
shall file with the Industrial Commission a response to the Request for Hearing.
This response shall contain the following:
(1) The basis of the disagreement between the parties, including a statement of the specific issues raised by the plaintiff which are conceded and the specific issues raised by the plaintiff which are denied.
(2) The date of the injury, if it is contended to be different than that alleged by the plaintiff.
(3) The part of the body injured, if it is contended to be different than that alleged by the plaintiff.
(4) The city and county where the injury occurred, if they are contented to be different than that alleged by the plaintiff.
(5) The names and addresses of all doctors and other expert witnesses whose testimony is needed by the defendant(s).
(6) The names of all lay witnesses known by the defendant(s) whose testimony is to be taken.
(7) An estimate of the time required for the hearing of the case.
(8) The telephone number(s) and address(es) of the party(ies) responding to the Request for Hearing.
Utilization of a Form 33R, Response to Request for Hearing, which is completed in full, shall be the sole means of compliance with this Rule. A copy of the Response to Request for Hearing shall be forwarded to all opposing parties or their attorneys, if such have been retained. In the event of a request for hearing by a defendant, the employee shall not be required to respond. Extensions of time within which to file a response shall be granted for good cause shown.
Rule 604
Appointment of Guardian Ad Litem
(1) In all cases where it is proposed that minors or incompetents shall sue by their
guardian ad litem, the Industrial Commission shall appoint such guardian ad
litem upon the written application of a reputable disinterested
person closely connected with such minor or incompetent; but if such person will not
apply, then, upon the application of some reputable citizen; and the Industrial Commission
shall make such appointment only after due inquiry as to the fitness of the person to be
appointed.
(2) In no event, however, shall any compensation be paid directly to the guardian ad
litem. Rather, compensation payable to a minor or incompetent shall be paid as
provided in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-48 and N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-49. The use of the word
"guardian" in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-49 shall mean a general guardian
appointed by the General Courts of Justice and shall does not mean
a guardian ad litem.
(3) The Amendments to this Rule are effective March 15, 1995.
Rule 605
Discovery
In addition to depositions and production of books and records provided for in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-80, parties may obtain discovery by the use of interrogatories as follows:
(
a1) Any party may serve upon any other parties written interrogatories, up tothirty30 in number, including subparts thereof, to be answered by the party served or, if the party served is a public or private corporation or a partnership or association or governmental agency, by any officer or agent, who shall furnish such information as is available from the party interrogated.Interrogatories may, without leave of the Industrial Commission, be served upon any party after the filing of a Form 18, Form 18B, or Form 33, or after approval of Form 21.
Each interrogatory shall be answered separately and fully in writing under oath, unless it is objected to, in which event the reasons for objection shall be stated in lieu of an answer. The answers are to be signed by the person making them and the objections signed by the party making them. The party on whom the interrogatories have been served shall serve a copy of the answers, and objections, if any, within
thirty30 days after service of the interrogatories. The parties may stipulate to an extension of time to respond to the interrogatories. A motion to extend the time to respond shall represent that an attempt to reach agreement with the opposing party to informally extend the time for response has been unsuccessful and the opposing parties position or that there has been a reasonable attempt to contact the opposing party to ascertain its position.If there is an objection to or other failure to answer an interrogatory, the party submitting the interrogatories may move the Industrial Commission for an order compelling answer. If the Industrial Commission orders answer to an interrogatory within a time certain and no answer is made or the objection is still lodged, the Industrial Commission may issue an order with appropriate sanctions, including but not limited to the sanctions specified in Rule 37 of the North Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure.
(
b2) Interrogatories may relate toanymatters which are not privileged which are relevant tothe subject matter in the pending actionan issue presently in dispute or which the requesting party reasonably believes may later be disputed.It is not grounds for objection that the information sought will be inadmissible at the hearing if the information sought appears reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence, nor is it grounds for objection that the examining party has knowledge of the information as to which discovery is sought.Signature of a party or attorney serving interrogatories constitutes a certificate by such person that he or she has personally read each of the interrogatories, that no such interrogatory will oppress a party or cause any unnecessary expense or delay, that the information requested is not known or equally available to the requesting party and that the interrogatory relates to an issue presently in dispute or which the requesting party reasonably believes may later be in dispute. A party may serve an interrogatory, however, to obtain verification of facts relating to an issue presently in dispute. Answers to interrogatories may be used to the extent permitted by the rules of evidence.(
c3) Additional methods of discovery as provided by the North Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure may be used only upon motion and approval by the Industrial Commission or by agreement of the parties.(
d4) Notices of depositions, discovery requests and responses pertinent to a pending motion, responses to discovery following a motion or order to compel, and post-hearing discovery requests and responses shall be filed with the Commission, as well as served on the opposing party. Otherwise, discovery requests and responses, including interrogatories and requests for production of documents, shall not be filed with the Commission.(
e5) Sanctions may be imposed under this Rule for failure to comply with a Commission order compelling discovery. A motion by a party or its attorney to compel discovery under this Rule and Rule 607 shall represent that informal means of resolving the discovery dispute have been attempted in good faith and state briefly the opposing parties position or that there has been a reasonable attempt to contact the opposing party and ascertain its position.(Amended effective January 1, 1992.)
Rule 606
DiscoveryPost Hearing
Discovery may not be conducted after the initial hearing on the merits of a case unless allowed by order of a Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner.
Rule 607
Discovery of Records and Reports
(1) Upon written request, any party shall furnish, without cost, the
requesting party a copy of any and all medical, vocational and rehabilitation reports, and
employment records, Industrial Commission forms, and written communications with
medical providers in its possession, within thirty 30 days of the
request, unless objection is made within that time period. This obligation exists whether
or not a request for hearing has been filed. This obligation is a continuing one, and any
such reports and records which come into the possession of a party after receipt of a
request pursuant to this Rule shall be provided to the requesting party within fifteen
15 days from its receipt of these reports and records.
Upon receipt of a request, an insurer or administrator for an employers workers compensation program shall inquire of the employer concerning the existence of records encompassed by the request.
(2) The Amendments to this Rule are effective March 15, 1995.
Rule 608
Statement About Incident Leading to Claim
(1) At the outset of taking a statement, the employer or his agent shall advise the
employee that the statement is being taken to be used in part to determine whether the
claim will be paid or denied. Any plaintiff who shall gives
to his employer, or to the its carrier on
the risk, or to any agent either a written or recorded statement
of the facts and circumstances surrounding his injury shall be furnished a copy of such
statement within thirty 45 days after request. Further, any
plaintiff who shall give a written or recorded statement of the facts and circumstances
surrounding his injury shall, without request, be furnished a copy no less than thirty
45 days from the filing of a Form 33 Request for Hearing. prior
to a pending hearing. Such copy shall be furnished at the expense of the person,
firm or corporation at whose direction the statement was taken.
(2) If any person, firm or corporation fails to comply with this rule, then an order may be entered by a Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner prohibiting that person, firm or corporation, or its representative, from introducing the statement into evidence or using any part of it.
Rule 609
Motions Practice in Contested Cases
(1) Motions brought before the Commission shall be addressed as follows:
(a) All motions in cases which are currently calendared for hearing before
athe Full Commissioneror Deputy Commissioner shall be sent directly to the Chair of the Full Commission panelthatCommissioneror Deputy Commissioner before whom the case is pendingat the Industrial Commission.(b) Motions filed before a case is calendared before a Deputy Commissioner, or once a case has been continued, or removed from a Deputy Commissioner calendar, or after the filing of an Opinion and Award when the time for taking appeal has run,
motionsshall be directed to the Executive Secretary of the Industrial Commission. Motions to reconsider or amend an Opinion and Award, made prior to giving notice of appeal to the Full Commission, shall be directed to the Deputy Commissioner who authored the Opinion and Award.(c) Motions filed after notice of appeal to the Full Commission has been given but prior to the calendaring of the case shall be directed to the Chair of the Industrial Commission.
(d) If a case has been continued from the Full Commission hearing docket, motions shall be directed to the Chair of the panel of Commissioners who ordered the continuance.
(e) Motions filed after the filing of an Opinion and Award by the Full Commission but prior to giving notice of appeal to the Court of Appeals shall be directed to the Commissioner who authored the Opinion and Award.
(2) A motion shall state with particularity the grounds on which it is based, the relief sought, and a brief statement of the opposing partys position, if known. Service shall be made on all opposing attorneys of record, or on all opposing parties, if not represented.
(3) Motions to continue or remove a case from the hearing calendar on which the case is set must be made well in advance of the scheduled hearing and may be made in written or oral form. In all cases the moving party must provide just cause for the motion and state that the other parties have been advised of the motion and relate the position, if known, of the other parties regarding the motion. Oral motions must be followed with a written confirmation from the moving party.
(4) The responding party to a motion shall have ten (10) 10 days after a
motion is served during which to file and serve copies of response in opposition to the
motion. The Industrial Commission may shorten or extend the time for responding to any
motion.
(5) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (4) above, a motion may be acted upon at
any time by the Commission, despite the absence of notice to all parties,
and without awaiting a response thereto. A party who has not received actual notice of
such a motion or who has not filed a response at the time such action is taken and who is
adversely affected by the action may request that it be reconsideredation,
vacatedion, or modifiedcation
thereof. Motions will be determined without oral argument, unless the
Industrial Commission orders otherwise.
(6) In all cases where correspondence relative to a case before the Industrial
Commission is sent to the Industrial Commission, copies of such correspondence shall be
contemporaneously sent by the same method of transmission to the opposing party
or, if represented, to opposing counsel or, if none, to the opposing
party. Written communications, whether addressed directly to the Commission
or copied to the Commission, may not be used as an opportunity to introduce new evidence
or to argue the merits of the case, with the exception of the following instances:
(a) Written communications, such as a proposed order or legal memorandum, prepared pursuant to the Commissions instructions;
(b) Written communications relative to emergencies, changed circumstances, or scheduling matters that may affect the procedural status of a case such as a request for a continuance due to the health of a litigant or an attorney;
(c) Written communications sent to the tribunal with the consent of the opposing lawyer or opposing party if unrepresented; and
(d) Any other communication permitted by law or the rules or procedures of the Commission.
At no time may written communications, whether addressed directly to the Commission or copied to the Commission, be used as an opportunity to cast the opposing party or counsel in a bad light.
(7) All motions made before the Industrial Commission must include a proposed Order to be considered by the Industrial Commission.
(8) Except as otherwise expressly provided by statute, rule, or by order of the
Commission, in computing any period of time prescribed or allowed by the Commissions
Rules, by order of the Commission, or by any applicable statute, the day of the act,
event, or default after which the designated period of time begins to run is not to be
included. The last day of the period so computed is to be included, unless it is a
Saturday, Sunday, or a legal holiday, in which event the period runs until the end of the
next day which is not a Saturday, Sunday or a legal holiday. When the period of time
prescribed or allowed is less than seven (7) days, intermediate
Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays shall be excluded in the computation. A half
holiday shall be considered as other days and not as a holiday. Whenever a party
has the right to do some act or take some proceedings within a prescribed period after the
service of any document, three (3) days shall be added to the prescribed
period.
(9) The Amendments to this Rule are effective March 15, 1995.
Rule 610
Pre-Trial Conference and Pre-Trial Order
(1) A Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner may order the parties to appear at a pre-trial conference to determine specific matters. This conference may be conducted at such place and by such method as the Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner deems appropriate, including conference telephone calls.
(2) Any party may request a pre-trial conference when that party deems that such a
conference would aid in settling the case or resolving some issues prior to trial.
Requests for such pre-trial conferences shall be directed to the Chief
Deputy Commissioner before whom the claim has been calendared, or to the Team
Coordinator for the geographical area, if any. unless the claim has
already been calendared before a Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner, in which instance,
the request shall be directed to that Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner.
(3) Without a pre-trial conference, a A Commissioner or
a Deputy Commissioner may issue a Pre-Trial Order requiring the parties to submit a
Pre-trial Agreement. The parties shall have 15 days following the hearing within which to
schedule the taking of medical depositions unless otherwise extended by the Commission. order
the parties to prepare a Pre-Trial Agreement. Such Agreement shall be prepared in
a form which substantially complies with the Order on Final Pre-Trial Conference adopted
in the North Carolina Rules of Practice for the Superior and District Courts. Should the
parties fail to comply with an Pre-Trial Order,
to prepare a Pre-Trial Agreement, the Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner
may remove the case from the hearing docket. Should the parties thereafter comply with the
Pre-Trial Order to prepare a Pre-Trial Agreement after the
removal of the case, the Pre-Trial Agreement must be directed to the
Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner who removed the case from the docket; and the
Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner will order the case returned to the hearing docket as
if a Request for Hearing had been filed on the date of the Order to return the case to the
hearing docket. No new Form 33 Request for Hearing is required.
(4) The Amendments to thus this Rule are effective March 15, 1995
Rule 611
Hearings Before the Industrial Commission
(1) The Industrial Commission may on its own motion order a hearing or rehearing of any case in dispute.
(2) The Industrial Commission shall set a contested case for hearing in a location deemed convenient to witnesses and the Industrial Commission, and conducive to an early and just resolution of disputed issues.
(3) In setting contested cases for hearing, cases in which the payment of workers compensation benefits is at issue shall take precedence over those cases in which the payment of workers compensation benefits is not at issue.
(4) The Industrial Commission will give reasonable notice of hearings in every case. Postponement or continuance of a duly scheduled hearing will rest entirely in the discretion of a Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner. Where a party has not notified the Industrial Commission of the attorney representing the party prior to the mailing of calendars for hearing, notice to that party shall constitute notice to the partys attorney.
(5) Prior to hearing The only parts of the Industrial
Commission file of a contested case which are a part of the record on which a decision
will be rendered are prior Opinion and Awards, form agreements, awards, and
orders by the Industrial Commission; provided, however, that if provisions of the
Workers Compensation Act designate other documents as part of the record, such
documents shall also be a part of the record. Any other documents which the parties
wish to have included in the record must be introduced and received into evidence.
(6) Hearing costs shall be assessed in each case set for hearing, including those cases which are settled after being calendared and notices mailed, and shall be payable upon receipt of a statement from the Industrial Commission.
(7) In the event of inclement weather or natural disaster, hearings shall be cancelled if the proceedings in the General Court of Justice in the county in which the hearings are set are cancelled.
Rule 612
Depositions and Additional Hearings
(1) When additional testimony is necessary to the disposition of a case, a Commissioner
or Deputy Commissioner may order the deposition of witnesses, such depositions
to be taken on or before a day certain not to exceed sixty 60 days from
the date of the ruling; provided, the date time allowed may
be postponed enlarged for good cause shown. Within
30 days following hearing, the parties shall stipulate or each apply to the Commissioner
or Deputy Commissioner for an order setting depositions for all expert witnesses they
anticipate deposing if the case is not resolved upon the lay testimony. A motion shall be
supported by a statement that the moving party has made reasonable attempts to obtain an
agreement among the expert and the parties on the date, place and time of the deposition,
and whether the expert or opposing party consents to the date proposed. If the parties
cannot so stipulate, the Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner shall issue a written order
setting the time within which such deposition shall be taken. The costs of such
depositions shall be borne by the defendants for those medical witnesses
who examined plaintiff at defendants expense, in those instances in which defendants
are requesting the depositions, and in any other case which, in the discretion of the
Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner, it is deemed appropriate.
(2) In cases where a party, or an attorney for either party, refuses to stipulate
medical reports and the case must be reset or depositions ordered for testimony of medical
witnesses, a Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner may in his discretion assess the costs of
such hearing or depositions, including reasonable attorney fees, against the attorney
or his client party who refused the stipulation.
(3) Except under unusual circumstances, all lay evidence must be offered at the initial
hearing. Lay evidence can only be offered after the initial hearing by order of a
Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner. The costs of obtaining lay testimony by
deposition shall be borne by the party making the request unless otherwise ordered by the
Commission. (Amended effective January 1, 1992.)
Rule 613
Dismissals and Removals
1. Dismissals
(a) No claim filed under the Workers Compensation Act shall be dismissed without prejudice at plaintiffs instance except upon order of the Industrial Commission and upon such terms and conditions as justice requires; provided, however, that no voluntary dismissal shall be granted after the record in a case is closed.
(b) Unless otherwise ordered by the Industrial Commission, a plaintiff shall have one year from the date of the Order of Voluntary Dismissal to
reinstituterefile his claim.(c) Upon proper notice and an opportunity to be heard, any claim may be dismissed with or without prejudice by the Industrial Commission on its own motion or by motion of any party for failure to prosecute or to comply with these Rules or any Order of the Commission.
2. Removals
(a) A claim may be removed from the hearing docket by motion of the party requesting the hearing or by the Industrial Commission upon its own motion.
(b) A removed case may be reinstated by motion of either party; provided that cases wherein the issues have materially changed since the Order of Removal or where the motion to reinstate is filed more than one year after the Order of Removal, a Form 33 Request for Hearing will be required.
When a plaintiff has not requested a hearing within a year of the filing of an Order of Removal requested by the plaintiff or necessitated by plaintiffs conduct, and not pursued the claim, the opposing party, or the Industrial Commission upon its own motion, may move the Industrial Commission to dismiss with prejudice for failure to prosecute. (Amended effective January 1, 1992.)(c) When a plaintiff has not requested a hearing within two years of the filing of an Order of Removal requested by the plaintiff or necessitated by the plaintiffs conduct, and not pursued the claim, upon proper notice and an opportunity to be heard, any claim may be dismissed with prejudice by the Industrial Commission on its own motion or by motion of any party.
Rule 614
Attorneys Retained for Proceedings
(1) Any attorney who is retained by a party accepts employment
in a proceeding before the Industrial Commission shall immediately file a notice of
appearance with notify in writing the Industrial Commission of
an appearance, at which time the attorney shall be attorney of record. A copy of
this notice shall be served on all other counsel and to on
all unrepresented parties. Thereafter, all notices required to be served on a party shall
be served upon the attorney. at the business address provided, and No
direct contact or communication concerning or affecting contested matters
may be made with a represented party the attorneys client
by the opposing party or any person on its behalf, without the attorneys permission
except providers of medical compensation and except as otherwise required
as permitted by law or Industrial Commission Rules and Forms.
(2) Any attorney who wishes to withdraw from representation employment
in a proceeding before the Industrial Commission shall file with the Industrial
Commission, in writing:
(a) A Motion to Withdraw which shall contain a statement of reasons for the request and
a statement that the reasons forthat the requesthavehas been served on the clientor clients from whose employment the attorney wishes to be allowed to withdraw.(b) A Motion to Withdraw before an award is made shall state whether the withdrawing attorney requests an attorney fee from the represented party once an award of compensation is made or approved.
An attorney replacing a withdrawn attorney shall be deemed to have received notice of the request of the withdrawing attorney in regards to the attorney fee request.
(3) The employment of An attorney so petitioning
for permission to may withdraw from representation may
be terminated only by written permission order of
the Industrial Commission. The issuance of an award of the Industrial
Commission does not release an attorney as the attorney of record. The attorney of
record may, upon Motion to Withdraw, be released by written permission of the Industrial
Commission.
(5) The Amendments to this Rule are effective March 15, 1995.
Rule 615
Disqualification of a Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner
In his their discretion, any
Commissioners or Deputy Commissioners may disqualify
recuse themselves himself from the hearing of
any case before the Industrial Commission. For good cause shown, a majority of the Full
Commission may remove a Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner from hearing a case.
PROPOSED RULE 616
Foreign Language Interpreters
(1) Services of Foreign Language Interpreters Required.
When a person who does not speak or understand the English language is called to testify in a hearing, other than in an informal hearing conducted pursuant to G.S. § 97-18.1, the person, whether a party or a witness, shall be assisted by a qualified foreign language interpreter.
(2) Qualifications of Interpreters.
To qualify as a foreign language interpreter, a person must possess sufficient experience and education, or a combination of experience and education, speaking and understanding English and the foreign language to be interpreted, to qualify as an expert witness pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1C-1, Rule 702. A person qualified as an interpreter under this Rule shall not be interested in the claim and must make a declaration under oath or affirmation to interpret accurately, truthfully and without any additions or deletions, all questions propounded to the witness and all responses thereto.
(3) Notice to Industrial Commission and Opposing Party of Need for Interpreter.
Any party who is unable to speak or understand English, or who intends to call as a witness a person who is unable to speak or understand English, shall so notify the Industrial Commission and the opposing party, in writing, not less than 21 days prior to the date of the hearing. The notice shall state with specificity the language(s) that must be interpreted for the Commission.
(4) Designation of Interpreter by Employer or Insurer.
Upon receiving or giving the notice required in paragraph (3) of this Rule, the employer or insurer shall retain a qualified, disinterested interpreter, either agreed upon by the parties or approved by the Industrial Commission, to appear at the hearing and interpret the testimony of all persons for whom the notice in paragraph (3) has been given or received.
(5) Interpreter Fees.
The interpreters fee shall constitute a cost as contemplated by N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-80. A qualified interpreter who interprets testimony for the Industrial Commission shall be entitled to payment of the fee agreed upon by the interpreter and employer or insurer that retained the interpreter. Except in cases where a claim for compensation has been prosecuted without reasonable ground, the fee agreed upon by the interpreter and employer or insurer shall be paid by the employer or insurer. Where it is ultimately determined by the Commission that the request for an interpreter was unfounded, attendant costs may be assessed against the movant.
ARTICLE VII. APPEALS
Rule 701
Appeal to the Full Commission
(1) A letter expressing an intent to appeal shall be considered notice of appeal to the Full Commission within the meaning of N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-85, provided that it clearly specifies the Order or Opinion and Award from which appeal is taken.
(2) After receipt of notice of appeal, the Industrial Commission will supply to the
appellant Form 44 Application for Review upon which appellant he
must state the grounds for his the appeal. The grounds must be stated with in
particularity, including the specific errors allegedly committed by the Commissioner or
Deputy Commissioner and, when applicable, the pages in the transcript on
which the alleged errors are recorded. Failure to state with particularity the grounds for
appeal shall result in abandonment of such grounds, as provided in paragraph (3). The
Appellants completed Form 44 and brief completed
by appellant, along with appellants brief must be filed and served
with the Industrial Commission, copies to appellee, within twenty-five
25 days of appellants receipt of the transcript of the record, or
receipt of notice that there will be no transcript, unless the use of such form
shall, in the discretion of the Industrial Commission, in its discretion,
be waives the use of the Form 44. The time for filing
a notice of appeal from the decision of the Deputy Commissioner under these
rules shall be tolled until a timely motion to amend the decision has been ruled upon by
the Deputy Commissioner.
(3) Particular grounds for appeal not set forth in the application for review shall be
deemed to be abandoned, and argument thereon shall not be heard before
the Full Commission. A non-appealing party is not required to file conditional
assignments of error in order to preserve his rights for possible further appeals.
(4) When an appeal is made to the Full Commission, Appellants Form
44 and brief if any, in support of his grounds for appeal shall
be filed in triplicate with the Industrial Commission, with written statement of
a certificate indicating service of copy on appellee by
mail or in person on appellee, with the Form 44 upon which he has stated
particular grounds for his appeal, within twenty-five 25 days
after receipt of the transcript, or receipt of notice that there will be no transcript.
Thereafter, appellee shall have twenty-five 25 days from receipt
service of appellants brief within which to file a reply brief in
triplicate with the Industrial Commission, with written statement of service of copy by
mail or in person on appellant. If When an appellant fails
to file a no brief, appellee shall file his brief
within twenty-five 25 days after appellants time for filing brief
has expired. When A party who fails to an appeal
has not filed a brief he will not be allowed
oral argument before the Full Commission. If both parties appeal, they shall each file an
appellants and appellees brief on the schedule set forth herein. The parties
may file with the Docket Director a written stipulation to a single
extension of time for each party, not to exceed 30 days, if the matter has not been
calendared for hearing.
(5) During the process After notice of appeal has
been given to the Full Commission, any motions by either party related
to the issues before the Full Commission shall be filed in triplicate with the
Full Commission, copy to with service on
the other parties.
(6) No new evidence will be presented to or heard by the Full Commission unless the Commission in its discretion so permits.
(7) Cases should be cited by North Carolina Reports and, preferably, to Southeastern
Reports as well. Counsel shall not discuss matters outside the record,
assert personal opinions or relate personal experiences, or attribute unworthy acts or
motives to opposing counsel unless it is alleged in good faith that such
materially affected the case.
(8) The Industrial Commission or any one of the parties with permission of the
Industrial Commission may waive oral argument before the Full Commission. In the event of
such waiver, the Full Commission will file a decision, based on the record, assignments
of error exceptions and briefs. if any, will be filed by
the Full Commission.
(9) A plaintiff appealing the amount of a disfigurement award shall personally appear before the Full Commission to permit the Full Commission to view the disfigurement.
(10) Briefs to the Full Commission shall not exceed 35 pages, excluding attachments. No page limit shall apply to the length of attachments. Briefs shall be prepared entirely using a 12 point font, shall be double spaced, and shall be prepared with non-justified right margins. Each page of the brief shall be numbered at the bottom right of the page. When quoting or paraphrasing testimony or other evidence in the transcript of the evidence, a parenthetic entry in the text, to include the exact page number location within the transcript of the evidence of the information being referenced shall be placed at the end of the sentence citing the information [Example: (T.p.38)]. When quoting or paraphrasing testimony or other evidence in the transcript of a deposition, a parenthetic entry in the text to include the name of the person deposed and exact page number location within the transcript of the deposition of the information being referenced shall be placed at the end of the sentence citing the information. [Example: (Smith p.15)].
Rule 702
Appeal to the Court of Appeals
(1) Except as otherwise provided in N.C. Gen. Stat. §
97-86, in every case appealed to the North Carolina Court of Appeals, the rules
governing appeals in ordinary civil actions as set forth in the Rules of
Appellate Procedure shall apply. The running of the time for filing and serving a notice
of appeal is tolled as to all parties by a timely motion filed by any party to amend, to
make additional findings or to reconsider the decision, and the full time for appeal
commences to run and is to be computed from the entry of an Order upon any of these
motions, in accordance with Rule 3 of the Rules of Appellate Procedure.
(2) If the parties cannot agree on the record on appeal, appellant shall furnish the
Chairman of the Industrial Commission, or his designee, one (1)
copy of the proposed record on appeal, objections and/or proposed alternative record on
appeal at the time along with a timely request is
made to the Chairman, or his designee, to settle the record on appeal
same. The hearing to settle the record on appeal shall be held at the
offices of the Industrial Commission or by telephone conference.
(3) The amount of the appeal bond shall be set by the Chairman, or his
designee, and may be waived in accordance with N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-86. (Amended
effective January 1, 1992.)
Rule 702A
Remand from the
Appellate Courts
When a case is remanded to the Commission from the appellate courts, each party may file a statement with the Full Commission, supported by a brief if appropriate, setting forth its position on the actions or proceedings, including evidentiary hearings or depositions, required to comply with the court’s decision. This statement shall be filed within 30 days of the issuance of the court’s mandate and shall be filed with the Commissioner who authored the Full Commission decision or the Chairman of the Industrial Commission if the Commissioner who authored the decision is no longer a member of the Industrial Commission.
Rule 703 Review of Administrative Decisions
Appeals from
(1) Orders, Decisions, and Awards made in a summary manner, without detailed findings
of fact, including Decisions on applications to approve agreements to pay compensation and
medical bills, applications to approve the termination or suspension of compensation,
applications for change in treatment or providers of medical compensation, applications to
change the interval of payments, and applications for lump sum payments of compensation
may be appealed reviewed by filing a Motion for
Reconsideration with the Industrial Commission and addressed to the Administrative Officer
who made the Decision or may be appealed by requesting a hearing within fifteen
15 days of receipt of the Decision or receipt of the ruling on a Motion to Reconsider. Said
These issues may also be raised and determined at a subsequent hearing.
(2) Motions for Reconsideration shall not stay the effect of the Order, Decision or Award; provided, that the Administrative Officer making the Decision or a Commissioner may enter an Order staying its effect pending the ruling on the Motion for Reconsideration or pending a Decision by a Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner following a formal hearing. In determining whether or not to grant a stay, the Commissioner or Administrative Officer will consider whether granting the stay will frustrate the purposes of the Order, Decision, or Award.
(3) Any appeal review made by requesting a hearing shall
be made to the Industrial Commission and filed with the Industrial Commissions
Docket Director. The Industrial Commission shall designate a Commissioner or Deputy
Commissioner to hear the appeal review. The Commissioner or
Deputy Commissioner hearing the matter shall consider all issues de novo, and no
issue shall be considered moot solely because the Order has been fully executed during the
pendency of the hearing.
(4) The Amendments to this Rule are effective March 15, 1995.
ARTICLE VIII. RULES OF THE COMMISSION
Rule 801
Waiver of the Rules
In the interest of justice, these rules may be waived by the Industrial Commission. The rights of any unrepresented plaintiff will be given special consideration in this regard, to the end that a plaintiff without an attorney shall not be prejudiced by mere failure to strictly comply with any one of these rules.
Rule 802
Sanctions
(1) Upon failure to comply with any of the aforementioned rules, the Industrial Commission may subject the violator to any of the sanctions outlined in Rule 37 of the North Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure, including reasonable attorney fees to be taxed against the party or his counsel whose conduct necessitates the order.
(2) Failure to timely file forms as required by either these Rules or pursuant to the Act may result in fines or other appropriate sanctions.
Rule 803
Procedure for Workers Compensation Rule Making by the Industrial Commission
Prior to adopting, deleting, or amending any Workers Compensation Rule of the
Industrial Commission which affects the substantive rights of parties, the Industrial
Commission will give at least thirty 30 days notice of the proposed
change in rules. Such notice will be given by publishing, in a newspaper or newspapers of
general circulation in North Carolina, notice of such proposed change. Such notice will
include an invitation to any interested party to submit in writing any objection,
suggestion or other comment with respect to the proposed rule change or to appear before
the Full Commission at a time and place designated in the notice for the purpose of being
heard with respect to the proposed rule change.
ARTICLE IX. REPORT OF EARNINGS
Rule 901
Check Endorsement
By endorsing this check, I certify that I have not worked for or earned wages from any business or individual during the period covered by this check, or that I have reported any earnings to the employer/carrier paying me workers' compensation benefits. I understand that making a false statement by endorsing this benefit check may result in civil or criminal penalties.
Rule 902
Notice
A self-insured employer, carrier or third party administrator shall not use check endorsement language on the back of an employee's workers' compensation benefit check unless the employee has been provided the following Notice sent by certified mail return receipt requested:
Notice to Employee Receiving Workers' Compensation Benefits
This NOTICE is intended to advise you of important information you need to know if you are receiving workers' compensation benefits.
Please TAKE NOTICE of the following:
(1) When you are receiving weekly workers' compensation benefits, you must report any earnings you receive to the insurance company (or employer if the employer is self-insured) that is paying you the benefits. "Earnings" include any cash, wages or salary received from self-employment or from any employment other than the employment where you were injured. Earnings also include commissions, bonuses, and the cash value for all payments received in any form other than cash (e.g., a building custodian receiving a rent-free apartment). Commission bonuses, etc., earned before disability but received during the time you are also receiving workers' compensation benefits do not constitute earnings that must be reported.
(2) You must report any work in any business, even if the business lost money or if profits or income were reinvested or paid to others.
(3) Your endorsement on a benefit check or deposit of the check into an account is your statement that you believe that you are entitled to receive workers' compensation benefits. Your signature on a benefit check is a further affirmation that you have made no material false statement or concealed any material fact regarding your right to receive the benefit check.
(4) Making false statements for purpose of obtaining workers' compensation benefits may result in civil and criminal penalties.
Rule 903
Employees Obligation to Report Earnings
A self-insured employer, carrier or third-party administrator may require the employee to complete a Form 90 Report of Earnings when reasonably necessary but not more than once every six months.
The Form 90 must be sent to the employee by certified mail, return receipt requested, and include a self-addressed stamped envelope for the return of the Form. When the employee is represented by an attorney, the Form 90 shall be sent to the attorney for the employee and not to the employee.
The employee shall complete and return the Form 90 Report of Earnings within 15 days after receipt of a Form 90. If the employee fails to complete and return the Report of Earnings within 30 days of receipt of the form, the self-insured employer, carrier or third-party administrator may seek an order from the Executive Secretary allowing the suspension of benefits. The self-insured employer, carrier or third-party administrator shall not suspend benefits without Commission approval. If the Commission suspends benefits for failure to complete and return a Form 90 Report of Earnings, the self-insured employer, carrier or third-party administrator shall immediately reinstate benefits to the employee with back payment as soon as the Report of Earnings is submitted by the employee. If benefits are not immediately reinstated, the employee should submit a written request for an Order from the Executive Secretary instructing the self-insured employer, carrier or third-party administrator to reinstate benefits. If the employee’s earnings report does not indicate continuing eligibility for partial or total disability compensation, then the self-insured employer, carrier or third-party administrator may apply to the Commission to terminate or modify benefits pursuant to Commission procedure, including filing a Form 24, 36, and 33.