SB453 Alabama 2013 Session

Sponsors

Session

Regular Session 2013

Title

Workers' Compensation Law, revision of defintions, Department of Labor approves reimbursements, out of state inquiries, settlements, evidence, advanced payments, maximum comp. limits, burial expenses, physician panels, delete certain verification requirements, stipulations for trials, judge's order within 90 days, mutally agreed contracts, Secs. 25-5-1, 25-5-3, 25-5-35, 25-5-56, 25-5-57, 25-5-67, 25-5-68, 25-5-77, 25-5-80, 25-5-81, 25-5-88, 25-5-90, 25-5-117, 25-5-197, 25-5-293, 25-5-310, 25-5-311, 25-5-312, 25-5-313, 25-5-314, 25-5-316 am'd.

Description

<p class="bill_description"> This bill extensively amends the workers' compensation law. The bill would: Revise certain definitions; provide for the approval of standardized claim reimbursement forms by the Director of the Department of Labor; streamline provisions related to injuries occurring out-of-state; provide further for settlement of claims having attorney representation, inadmissible evidence, and advanced payments; provide further for limitations on total permanent total disability compensation; increase the amount for burial expenses; revise maximum compensation amounts; provide further for the names of physicians on medical panels approving additional treatment; shift the burden for cut-off of treatment, and add pain management treatment; delete verification requirement for filing complaints; add a 14-day requirement to submit stipulation to courts for trial; require judges to enter an order within 90 days of trial; delete requirement of judges to enter an order for hiring of employee's attorney; delete references to the Department of Industrial Relations; provide further for composition of Workers' Compensation Medical Services Board and alter powers and duties of the board; revise schedules of maximum fees and reimbursement rates; and provide for contracts for medical services at mutually agreed rates</p><p class="bill_entitled_an_act"> Relating to workers' compensation; to amend Sections 25-5-1, 25-5-3, 25-5-35, 25-5-56, 25-5-57, 25-5-67, 25-5-68, 25-5-77, 25-5-80, 25-5-81, 25-5-88, 25-5-90, 25-5-117, 25-5-197, 25-5-293, 25-5-310, 25-5-311, 25-5-312, 25-5-313, 25-5-314, and 25-5-316, Code of Alabama 1975, to revise certain definitions; provide for the approval of standardized claim reimbursement forms by the Director of the Department of Labor; streamline provisions related to injuries occurring out-of-state; provide further for settlement of claims having attorney representation, inadmissible evidence, and advanced payments; provide further for limitations on permanent total disability compensation; increase the amount for burial expenses; revise maximum compensation amounts; provide further for the names of physicians on panels approving additional treatment; shift burden for cut-off of treatment, and add pain management treatment; delete verification requirement for filing complaints; add a 14-day requirement to submit stipulation to courts for trial; require judges to enter an order within 90 days of trial; delete requirement of judges to enter an order for hiring of employee's attorney; delete references to the Department of Industrial Relations; provide further for composition of Workers' Compensation Medical Services Board and alter powers and duties of the board; revise schedules of maximum fees and reimbursement rates; and provide for contracts for medical services at mutually agreed rates. </p>

Subjects

Workers' Compensation