Workers' Compensation Rules
of the N.C. Industrial Commission

ARTICLE VI. CONTESTED CASES

1. Dismissals
    

   1. No claim filed under the Workers’ Compensation Act shall be dismissed without prejudice at plaintiff’s 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.
       

   2. Unless otherwise ordered by the Industrial Commission, a plaintiff shall have one year from the date of the Order of Voluntary Dismissal to refile his claim.
       

   3. 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
    

   1. 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.
       

   2. Upon settlement of a case or approval of a form agreement, the parties shall submit a request for removal and/or a dismissal and proposed Order.
       

   3. A removed case may be reinstated by motion of either party; provided that when 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.
       

   4. 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 plaintiff’s 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, in its discretion, on its own motion or by motion of any party.

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