BULLETIN: Settlements and Attorney Fee Petitions.
LWC’s Office of Workers’ Compensation issues emergency rule
LWC’s Office of Workers’ Compensation issues 2nd emergency rule.
BULLETIN: Telephone Office Visits
The notice issued below is extended to March 5, 2021 pursuant to Governor John Bel Edwards’ latest Stay at Home Order. See also the BULLETIN above regarding Settlement Petitions and Attorney Fee Petitions.
The Office of Workers’ Compensation is currently preparing each office for re-opening in a manner that will allow for social distancing and slowing the spread of Covid-19. As such, this office will remain closed to the public through March 5, 2021. During this time, the staff is working remotely and in the office responding to e-mails and performing critical tasks.
OWC matters conducted via Zoom
* All motion hearings may be set by Zoom, including those which require live testimony. If a party objects to
proceeding via Zoom, the matter will be set for a contradictory hearing before the OWC Judge.
* Trials may be conducted via Zoom, including those which require live testimony. If a party objects to
proceeding to trial via Zoom, the matter will be set for a contradictory hearing before the OWC Judge.
* For all Zoom Trials, the attorneys must provide documentation to the Court showing that they completed the
LSBA Zoom webinar or the OWC Zoom tutorial. Confirmation of completion must be submitted to the Court
prior to trial.
* All parties must confirm their telephone number and e-mail address with the Court, in order to receive
Zoom Notices.
* Unrepresented/pro se settlements will continue to be set via Zoom.
* OWC mediators will schedule mediations via Zoom and telephone.
With the exception of unrepresented/pro se settlements, all in-person court appearances and in-person mediations are cancelled until further notice. In-person trials, hearings, and mediations will be rescheduled on an expedited basis.
Telephone mediations are permitted and encouraged. You may contact your OWC mediator for scheduling. See District Court Listing.
No pleadings will be accepted by e-mail, except for Settlement Petitions and Attorney Fee Petitions. The original and filing fee must be mailed to the respective district office.
Pursuant to Title 40, §5824, §5831, and §5835, contradictory hearings may be:
* Submitted on briefs.
* Conducted by video via Zoom (a court reporter will record the matter).
* If a matter cannot be handled on briefs or by Zoom, it will be set for an in-person hearing beginning in August.
FRAUD
The Office of Workers’ Compensation Administration (OWCA), Fraud and Compliance Division, continues to ensure compliance with the mandatory workers’ compensation insurance requirements of the Louisiana Workers’ Compensation Act; however, OWCA is aware of the hardships created by the COVID-19 pandemic and its effect on Louisiana employers. In an effort to lessen those hardships and assist our business community in regaining its strength, the Fraud and Compliance Division shall grant a waiver of the mandatory penalty associated with a failure to maintain workers’ compensation insurance pursuant to La. R.S. 23:1168-1171. This waiver shall apply to any notice received between March 1, 2020, and July 1, 2020. Please note that this waiver does not absolve Louisiana employers of the responsibility of maintaining an effective policy of workers’ compensation insurance coverage in accordance with the Louisiana Workers’ Compensation Act.