Our own Beth Smith is currently attending the 2012 Comp Summit. Periodically, Beth will be sharing updates about panel discussions and new trends being discussed that could impact Maine Workers Compensation system. This morning Beth had the following report:
"This morning’s lead off session was a panel of Hearing Officers addressing various issues, including a bit of a divide over whether Appellate Division decisions will be considered binding upon the Hearing Officers on specifically addressed issues. Hearing Officer Greene appeared to at least convince Hearing Officer Stovall that the Appellate Division decisions should be binding, but Hearing Officers Elwin and Knopf have yet to make up their minds on the matter.
Additionally, rulemaking is still happening to help clarify procedure before the Appellate Division, as well as timelines and cases that would be subject to review. The Hearing Officers discussed differences in approach to establishing permanent impairment, preference for a unified set of questions in Section 312 examinations, and the advent of video conferencing as a means of conducting hearings for remotely located claimants."
Stay tuned for more updates from Comp Summit!