SB229: Bill Text

SB229,38 Section 38. 102.17 (1) (cg) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB229,20,11 102.17 (1) (cg) 3. The division department may not disclose any information received under subd. 1. to any person except to the department of revenue for the sole purpose of requesting certifications under s. 73.0301, the department of workforce development for the sole purpose of requesting certifications under s. 108.227, or the department of children and families for purposes of administering s. 49.22.

SB229,39 Section 39. 102.17 (1) (cr) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB229,20,18 102.17 (1) (cr) The division department shall deny an application for the issuance or renewal of a license under par. (c), or revoke such a license already issued, if the department of revenue certifies under s. 73.0301 that the applicant or licensee is liable for delinquent taxes. Notwithstanding par. (c), an action taken under this paragraph is subject to review only as provided under s. 73.0301 (5) and not as provided in ch. 227.

SB229,40 Section 40. 102.17 (1) (ct) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB229,21,2 102.17 (1) (ct) The division department shall deny an application for the issuance or renewal of a license under par. (c), or revoke such a license already issued, if the department certifies under s. 108.227 that the applicant or licensee is liable for delinquent contributions, as defined in s. 108.227 (1) (d). Notwithstanding par. (c), an action taken under this paragraph is subject to review only as provided under s. 108.227 (5) and not as provided in ch. 227.

SB229,41 Section 41. 102.17 (1) (d) 2. and 4. of the statutes are amended to read:

SB229,21,12 102.17 (1) (d) 2. The record of a hospital or sanatorium in this state that is satisfactory to the division department, established by certificate, affidavit, or testimony of the supervising officer of the hospital or sanatorium, any other person having charge of the record, or a physician, podiatrist, surgeon, dentist, psychologist, physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse, or chiropractor to be the record of the patient in question, and made in the regular course of examination or treatment of the patient, constitutes prima facie evidence as to the matter contained in the record, to the extent that the record is otherwise competent and relevant.

SB229,21,15 4. A report or record described in subd. 1., 2., or 3. that is admitted or received into evidence by the division department constitutes substantial evidence under s. 102.23 (6) as to the matter contained in the report or record.

SB229,42 Section 42. 102.17 (1) (e) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB229,22,2 102.17 (1) (e) The division department may, with or without notice to any party, cause testimony to be taken, an inspection of the premises where the injury occurred to be made, or the time books and payrolls of the employer to be examined by any examiner, and may direct any employee claiming compensation to be examined by a physician, chiropractor, psychologist, dentist, or podiatrist. The testimony so taken, and the results of any such inspection or examination, shall be reported to the division department for its consideration upon final hearing. All ex parte testimony taken by the division department shall be reduced to writing, and any party shall have opportunity to rebut that testimony on final hearing.

SB229,43 Section 43. 102.17 (1) (f) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB229,22,4 102.17 (1) (f) 1. Beyond reach of the subpoena of the division department.

SB229,44 Section 44. 102.17 (1) (g) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB229,22,18 102.17 (1) (g) Whenever the testimony presented at any hearing indicates a dispute or creates a doubt as to the extent or cause of disability or death, the division department may direct that the injured employee be examined, that an autopsy be performed, or that an opinion be obtained without examination or autopsy, by or from an impartial, competent physician, chiropractor, dentist, psychologist or podiatrist designated by the division department who is not under contract with or regularly employed by a compensation insurance carrier or self- insured employer. The expense of the examination, autopsy, or opinion shall be paid by the employer or, if the employee claims compensation under s. 102.81, from the uninsured employers fund. The report of the examination, autopsy, or opinion shall be transmitted in writing to the division department and a copy of the report shall be furnished by the division department to each party, who shall have an opportunity to rebut the report on further hearing.

SB229,45 Section 45. 102.17 (1) (h) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB229,23,4 102.17 (1) (h) The contents of certified reports of investigation made by industrial safety specialists who are employed, contracted, or otherwise secured by the department or the division and who are available for cross-examination, if served upon the parties 15 days prior to hearing, shall constitute prima facie evidence as to matter contained in those reports. A report described in this paragraph that is admitted or received into evidence by the division department constitutes substantial evidence under s. 102.23 (6) as to the matter contained in the report.

SB229,46 Section 46. 102.17 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB229,23,14 102.17 (2) If the division department has reason to believe that the payment of compensation has not been made, the division department may on its own motion give notice to the parties, in the manner provided for the service of an application, of a time and place when a hearing will be held for the purpose of determining the facts. The notice shall contain a statement of the matter to be considered. All provisions of this chapter governing proceedings on an application shall apply, insofar as applicable, to a proceeding under this subsection. When the division department schedules a hearing on its own motion, the division department does not become a party in interest and is not required to appear at the hearing.

SB229,47 Section 47. 102.17 (2m) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB229,23,21 102.17 (2m) The division or any Any party, including the department, may require any person to produce books, papers, and records at the hearing by personal service of a subpoena upon the person along with a tender of witness fees as provided in ss. 814.67 and 885.06. Except as provided in sub. (2s), the subpoena shall be on a form provided by the division department and shall give the name and address of the party requesting the subpoena.

SB229,48 Section 48. 102.17 (2s) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB229,24,6 102.17 (2s) A party’s attorney of record may issue a subpoena to compel the attendance of a witness or the production of evidence. A subpoena issued by an attorney must be in substantially the same form as provided in s. 805.07 (4) and must be served in the manner provided in s. 805.07 (5). The attorney shall, at the time of issuance, send a copy of the subpoena to the hearing examiner or other representative of the division department responsible for conducting the proceeding.

SB229,49 Section 49. 102.17 (4) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB229,24,19 102.17 (4) (a) Except as provided in this subsection and s. 102.555 (12) (b), in the case of occupational disease, the right of an employee, the employee’s legal representative, a dependent, the employee’s employer or the employer’s insurance company, or other named party to proceed under this section shall not extend beyond 12 years after the date of the injury or death or after the date that compensation, other than for treatment or burial expenses, was last paid, or would have been last payable if no advancement were made, whichever date is latest, and in the case of traumatic injury, that right shall not extend beyond 6 years after that date. The statute of limitations under this subsection begins to run on the date an order is issued by the division department approving a compromise agreement. A further claim is not barred except as provided in this subsection, regardless of whether an award is made.

SB229,50 Section 50. 102.17 (7) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB229,25,8 102.17 (7) (b) Except as provided in par. (c), the division department shall exclude from evidence testimony or certified reports from expert witnesses under par. (a) offered by the party that raises the issue of loss of earning capacity if that party failed to notify the division department and the other parties of interest, at least 60 days before the date of the hearing, of the party’s intent to provide the testimony or reports and of the names of the expert witnesses involved. Except as provided in par. (c), the division department shall exclude from evidence testimony or certified reports from expert witnesses under par. (a) offered by a party of interest in response to the party that raises the issue of loss of earning capacity if the responding party failed to notify the division department and the other parties of interest, at least 45 days before the date of the hearing, of the party’s intent to provide the testimony or reports and of the names of the expert witnesses involved.

SB229,51 Section 51. 102.17 (7) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB229,25,14 102.17 (7) (c) Notwithstanding the notice deadlines provided in par. (b), the division department may receive in evidence testimony or certified reports from expert witnesses under par. (a) when the applicable notice deadline under par. (b) is not met if good cause is shown for the delay in providing the notice required under par. (b) and if no party is prejudiced by the delay.

SB229,52 Section 52. 102.17 (8) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB229,26,7 102.17 (8) Unless otherwise agreed to by all parties, an injured employee shall file with the division department and serve on all parties at least 15 days before the date of the hearing an itemized statement of all medical expenses and incidental compensation under s. 102.42 claimed by the injured employee. The itemized statement shall include, if applicable, information relating to any travel expenses incurred by the injured employee in obtaining treatment including the injured employee’s destination, number of trips, round trip mileage, and meal and lodging expenses. The division department may not admit into evidence any information relating to medical expenses and incidental compensation under s. 102.42 claimed by an injured employee if the injured employee failed to file with the division department and serve on all parties at least 15 days before the date of the hearing an itemized statement of the medical expenses and incidental compensation under s. 102.42 claimed by the injured employee, unless the division department is satisfied that there is good cause for the failure to file and serve the itemized statement.

SB229,53 Section 53. 102.175 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB229,26,16 102.175 (2) If after a hearing or a prehearing conference the division department determines that an injured employee is entitled to compensation but that there remains in dispute only the issue of which of 2 or more parties is liable for that compensation, the division department may order one or more parties to pay compensation in an amount, time, and manner as determined by the division department. If the division department later determines that another party is liable for compensation, the division department shall order that other party to reimburse any party that was ordered to pay compensation under this subsection.

SB229,54 Section 54. 102.175 (3) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB229,26,22 102.175 (3) (c) Upon request of the department, the division, the employer, or the employer’s worker’s compensation insurer, an injured employee who claims compensation for an injury causing permanent disability shall disclose all previous findings of permanent disability or other impairments that are relevant to that injury.

SB229,55 Section 55. 102.18 (1) (b) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB229,27,7 102.18 (1) (b) 1. Within 90 days after the final hearing and close of the record, the division department shall make and file its findings upon the ultimate facts involved in the controversy, and its order, which shall state the division’s department’s determination as to the rights of the parties. Pending the final determination of any controversy before it, the division department, after any hearing, may, in its discretion, make interlocutory findings, orders, and awards, which may be enforced in the same manner as final awards.

SB229,56 Section 56. 102.18 (1) (b) 1d. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB229,27,15 102.18 (1) (b) 1d. If an application has been filed under s. 102.17 (1) (a) 1. for a claim for compensation, after the division department issues an order on the merits of the case of the claim under subd. 1., or an order under sub. (2) (c), if there is no pending action for review by a court, the division shall return to the department the file for the case of the claim within 30 days after issuing the order. The department shall conduct further administrative activities, including closing the case of the claim.

SB229,57 Section 57. 102.18 (1) (b) 1t. of the statutes is repealed.

SB229,58 Section 58. 102.18 (1) (b) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB229,27,23 102.18 (1) (b) 2. The division department may include in any interlocutory or final award or order an order directing the employer or insurer to pay for any future treatment that may be necessary to cure and relieve the employee from the effects of the injury or to pay for a future course of instruction or other rehabilitation training services provided under a rehabilitation training program developed under s. 102.61 (1) or (1m).

SB229,59 Section 59. 102.18 (1) (b) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB229,28,5 102.18 (1) (b) 3. If the division department finds that the employer or insurer has not paid any amount that the employer or insurer was directed to pay in any interlocutory order or award and that the nonpayment was not in good faith, the division department may include in its final award a penalty not exceeding 25 percent of each amount that was not paid as directed.

SB229,60 Section 60. 102.18 (1) (bg) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB229,28,15 102.18 (1) (bg) 1. If the division department finds under par. (b) that an insurer or self-insured employer is liable under this chapter for any health services provided to an injured employee by a health service provider, but that the reasonableness of the fee charged by the health service provider is in dispute, the division department may include in its order under par. (b) a determination made by the department under s. 102.16 (2) as to the reasonableness of the fee or, if such a determination has not yet been made, the division department may notify, or direct the insurer or self-insured employer to notify, the health service provider under s. 102.16 (2) (b) that the reasonableness of the fee is in dispute.

SB229,61 Section 61. 102.18 (1) (bg) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB229,29,2 102.18 (1) (bg) 2. If the division department finds under par. (b) that an employer or insurance carrier is liable under this chapter for any treatment provided to an injured employee by a health service provider, but that the necessity of the treatment is in dispute, the division department may include in its order under par. (b) a determination made by the department under s. 102.16 (2m) as to the necessity of the treatment or, if such a determination has not yet been made, the division department may notify, or direct the employer or insurance carrier to notify, the health service provider under s. 102.16 (2m) (b) that the necessity of the treatment is in dispute.

SB229,62 Section 62. 102.18 (1) (bg) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB229,29,14 102.18 (1) (bg) 3. If the division department finds under par. (b) that an insurer or self-insured employer is liable under this chapter for the cost of a prescription drug dispensed under s. 102.425 (2) for outpatient use by an injured employee, but that the reasonableness of the amount charged for that prescription drug is in dispute, the division department may include in its order under par. (b) a determination made by the department under s. 102.425 (4m) as to the reasonableness of the prescription drug charge or, if such a determination has not yet been made, the division department may notify, or direct the insurer or self- insured employer to notify, the pharmacist or practitioner dispensing the prescription drug under s. 102.425 (4m) (b) that the reasonableness of the prescription drug charge is in dispute.

SB229,63 Section 63. 102.18 (1) (bw) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB229,29,22 102.18 (1) (bw) If an insurer, a self-insured employer, or, if applicable, the uninsured employers fund pays compensation to an employee in excess of its liability and another insurer or self-insured employer is liable for all or part of the excess payment, the department or the division may order the insurer or self- insured employer that is liable for that excess payment to reimburse the insurer or self-insured employer that made the excess payment or, if applicable, the uninsured employers fund.

SB229,64 Section 64. 102.18 (1) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB229,30,7 102.18 (1) (c) If 2 or more examiners have conducted a formal hearing on a claim and are unable to agree on the order or award to be issued, the decision shall be the decision of the majority. If the examiners are equally divided on the decision, the division department may appoint an additional examiner who shall review the record and consult with the other examiners concerning their impressions of the credibility of the evidence. Findings of fact and an order or award may then be issued by a majority of the examiners.

SB229,65 Section 65. 102.18 (1) (e) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB229,30,16 102.18 (1) (e) Except as provided in s. 102.21, if the department or the division orders a party to pay an award of compensation, the party shall pay the award no later than 21 days after the date on which the order is mailed to the last- known address of the party, unless the party files a petition for review under sub. (3). This paragraph applies to all awards of compensation ordered by the department or the division, whether the award results from a hearing, the default of a party, or a compromise or stipulation confirmed by the department or the division.

SB229,66 Section 66. 102.18 (2) of the statutes is repealed and recreated to read:

SB229,30,23 102.18 (2) The department shall have and maintain on its staff such examiners as are necessary to hear and decide claims and to assist in the effective administration of this chapter. The examiners shall be attorneys and may be designated as administrative law judges. The examiners may make findings and orders and may approve, review, set aside, modify, or confirm stipulations of settlement or compromises of claims for compensation.

SB229,67 Section 67. 102.18 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB229,31,18 102.18 (3) A party in interest may petition the commission for review of an examiner’s decision awarding or denying compensation if the department, the division, or the commission receives the petition within 21 days after the department or the division mailed a copy of the examiner’s findings and order to the last-known addresses of the parties in interest. The commission shall dismiss a petition that is not filed within those 21 days unless the petitioner shows that the petition was filed late for a reason that was beyond the petitioner’s control. If no petition is filed within those 21 days, the findings or order shall be considered final unless set aside, reversed, or modified by the examiner within that time. If the findings or order are set aside by the examiner, the status shall be the same as prior to the findings or order that were set aside. If the findings or order are reversed or modified by the examiner, the time for filing a petition commences on the date on which notice of the reversal or modification is mailed to the last-known addresses of the parties in interest. The commission shall either affirm, reverse, set aside, or modify the findings or order, in whole or in part, or direct the taking of additional evidence. The commission’s action shall be based on a review of the evidence submitted.

SB229,68 Section 68. 102.18 (4) (c) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB229,31,21 102.18 (4) (c) 3. Remand the case to the department or the division for further proceedings.

SB229,69 Section 69. 102.18 (4) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB229,32,7 102.18 (4) (d) While a petition for review by the commission is pending or after entry of an order or award by the commission but before commencement of an action for judicial review or expiration of the period in which to commence an action for judicial review, the commission shall remand any compromise presented to it to the department or the division for consideration and approval or rejection setting aside, modification, or confirmation under s. 102.16 (1). Presentation of a compromise does not affect the period in which to commence an action for judicial review.

SB229,70 Section 70. 102.18 (5) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB229,32,18 102.18 (5) If it appears to the division department that a mistake may have been made as to cause of injury in the findings, order, or award upon an alleged injury based on accident, when in fact the employee was suffering from an occupational disease, within 3 years after the date of the findings, order, or award the division department may, upon its own motion, with or without hearing, set aside the findings, order or award, or the division department may take that action upon application made within those 3 years. After an opportunity for hearing, the division department may, if in fact the employee is suffering from disease arising out of the employment, make new findings, and a new order or award, or the division department may reinstate the previous findings, order, or award.

SB229,71 Section 71. 102.18 (6) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB229,33,2 102.18 (6) In case of disease arising out of employment, the division department may from time to time review its findings, order, or award, and make new findings, or a new order or award, based on the facts regarding disability or otherwise as those facts may appear at the time of the review. This subsection shall not affect the application of the limitation in s. 102.17 (4).

SB229,72 Section 72. 102.195 of the statutes is amended to read:

SB229,33,10 102.195 Employees confined in institutions; payment of benefits. In case an employee is adjudged mentally ill or incompetent or convicted of a felony, and is confined in a public institution and has wholly dependent upon the employee for support a person whose dependency is determined as if the employee were deceased, compensation payable during the period of the employee’s confinement may be paid to the employee and the employee’s dependents in such manner, for such time, and in such amount as the department or division by order provides.

SB229,73 Section 73. 102.22 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB229,34,4 102.22 (1) If the employer or his or her insurer inexcusably delays in making the first payment that is due an injured employee for more than 30 days after the date on which the employee leaves work as a result of an injury and if the amount due is $500 or more, the payments as to which the delay is found shall be increased by 10 percent. If the employer or his or her insurer inexcusably delays in making the first payment that is due an injured employee for more than 14 days after the date on which the employee leaves work as a result of an injury, the payments as to which the delay is found may be increased by 10 percent. If the employer or his or her insurer inexcusably delays for any length of time in making any other payment that is due an injured employee, the payments as to which the delay is found may be increased by 10 percent. If the delay is chargeable to the employer and not to the insurer, s. 102.62 applies and the relative liability of the parties shall be fixed and discharged as provided in that section. The department or the division may also order the employer or insurance carrier to reimburse the employee for any finance charges, collection charges, or interest that the employee paid as a result of the inexcusable delay by the employer or insurance carrier.

SB229,74 Section 74. 102.22 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB229,34,13 102.22 (2) If any sum that the department or the division orders to be paid is not paid when due, that sum shall bear interest at the rate of 10 percent per year. The state is liable for interest on awards issued against it under this chapter. The department or the division has jurisdiction to issue an award for payment of interest under this subsection at any time within one year after the date of its order or, if the order is appealed, within one year after final court determination. Interest awarded under this subsection becomes due from the date the examiner’s order becomes final or from the date of a decision by the commission, whichever is later.

SB229,75 Section 75. 102.23 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB229,34,18 102.23 (2) Upon the trial of an action for review of an order or award, the court shall disregard any irregularity or error of the commission, or the department, or the division unless it is made to affirmatively appear that the plaintiff was damaged by that irregularity or error.

SB229,76 Section 76. 102.23 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB229,34,22 102.23 (3) The record in any case shall be transmitted to the department or the division within 5 days after expiration of the time for appeal from the order or judgment of the court, unless an appeal is taken from that order or judgment.

SB229,77 Section 77. 102.23 (5) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB229,35,5 102.23 (5) When an action for review involves only the question of liability as between the employer and one or more insurance companies or as between several insurance companies, a party that has been ordered by the department, the division, the commission, or a court to pay compensation is not relieved from paying compensation as ordered.

SB229,78 Section 78. 102.24 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB229,35,15 102.24 (2) After the commencement of an action to review any order or award of the commission, the parties may have the record remanded by the court for such time and under such condition as the parties may provide, for the purpose of having the department or the division act upon the question of approving or disapproving any settlement or compromise that the parties may desire to have so approved. If approved, the action shall be at an end and judgment may be entered upon the approval as upon an award. If not approved, the department or the division shall immediately return the record to the circuit court and the action shall proceed as if no remand had been made.

SB229,79 Section 79. 102.25 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB229,36,5 102.25 (1) Any party aggrieved by a judgment entered upon the review of any order or award may appeal the judgment within the period specified in s. 808.04 (1). A trial court may not require the commission or any party to the action to execute, serve, or file an undertaking under s. 808.07 or to serve, or secure approval of, a transcript of the notes of the stenographic reporter or the tape of the recording machine. The state is a party aggrieved under this subsection if a judgment is entered upon the review confirming any order or award against the state. At any time before the case is set down for hearing in the court of appeals or the supreme court, the parties may have the record remanded by the court to the department or the division in the same manner and for the same purposes as provided for remanding from the circuit court to the department or the division under s. 102.24 (2).

SB229,80 Section 80. 102.26 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB229,36,19 102.26 (2) Unless previously authorized by the department or the division, no fee may be charged or received for the enforcement or collection of any claim for compensation nor may any contract for that enforcement or collection be enforceable when that fee, inclusive of all taxable attorney fees paid or agreed to be paid for that enforcement or collection, exceeds 20 percent of the amount at which the claim is compromised or of the amount awarded, adjudged, or collected, except that in cases of admitted liability in which there is no dispute as to the amount of compensation due and in which no hearing or appeal is necessary, the fee charged may not exceed 10 percent, but not to exceed $250, of the amount at which the claim is compromised or of the amount awarded, adjudged, or collected. The limitation as to fees shall apply to the combined charges of attorneys, solicitors, representatives, and adjusters who knowingly combine their efforts toward the enforcement or collection of any compensation claim.

SB229,81 Section 81. 102.26 (3) (b) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB229,37,2 102.26 (3) (b) 1. Subject to sub. (2), upon application of any interested party, the department or the division may fix the fee of the claimant’s attorney or representative and provide in the award for that fee to be paid directly to the attorney or representative.

SB229,82 Section 82. 102.26 (3) (b) 3. of the statutes is amended to read: