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Archive:2003

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March 2003 Notices

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March 24

The Commission is proud to announce the opening of its first permanent regional hearing site in Abingdon, Maryland.  Beginning April 1, 2003, the Commission will no longer be utilizing the Four Points Hotel in Aberdeen.  The address of our new northeastern permanent site is 3465 Box Hill Corporate Center Drive, Suite E, Abingdon, MD  21009.  Please note that the WCC's regional hearing sites do not open until 9:00 a.m. 

March 14The new MCRSP Training Schedule for 2003 for rehabilitation service providers' certifications is posted in the Vocational Rehabilitation section in the VR Continuing Education page.
March 11Regional Hearing Sites do not open until 9:00 a.m.  The Abingdon Northeast Regional Site has two hearing rooms, Courtroom #1 and Courtroom #2.  The opening announcement, address and map link can be found above.
March 11

The Workers' Compensation Commission is deeply saddened to announce to the compensation community the passing of Diana E. Farrell.  Diana was the Director of the Insurance Division at the Commission from January 9, 1997, through August 31, 2002. Ms. Farrell passed away on Saturday, March 8, 2003.

Diana was very active on the Southern Association of Workers' Compensation Administrators' ("SAWCA") Self-Insurance Committee and was a significant contributor to their various programs.  She earned respect for Maryland's self-insurance program from her peers and was an active user/participant in the SAWCA network of regulators who regularly exchanged information about failing companies as well as legislative and regulatory issues.

During Diana's five years with the Commission, she made numerous friends and acquaintances.  Diana will remain very much alive in the thoughts and memories of everyone at the Commission and within the compensation and insurance communities.

March 8POLICY CHANGE REGARDING FAX DOCUMENTS (Immediate)
Effective Monday, March 31, 2003, the Commission will no longer receive (accept) documents for filing via facsimile machine/server.  Any document submitted via the FAX Server (410-659-0597) or a WCC FAX machine after close of business Friday, March 28, 2003 will not be considered to be timely filed, will not be received by the Commission and therefore will not be made a part of the record in the claim.

March 8

DISTRICT/CIRCUIT COURT SUBPOENAS FOR MEDICAL RECORDS
Upon receipt of a District/Circuit Court subpoena for medical records, the Commission will send a letter to the Claimant and Claimant's counsel of record notifying that such a subpoena has been issued, so that a Claimant may have the opportunity to timely seek a Protective Order, if desired.

March 8

IMPROPER USE OF WCC Subpoenas
A Workers' Compensation Commission subpoena may not be used to subpoena the Commission's own records.

March 8

NEW POLICY REGARDING CONTINUANCES REQUESTED ON GROUNDS OF SETTLEMENT HAVING BEEN REACHED
Presently, the Commission grants a joint request for continuance upon a representation by counsel that a case has been settled (or a stipulation has been reached), even though no settlement agreement (or stipulation) has been filed. The Commission will no longer grant continuances upon this representation.  The settlement agreement (or stipulation) must be filed at least 48 hours before the hearing date or issues must be withdrawn.  In the alternative, the parties must appear in court and either put the settlement agreement (or stipulation) on the record or try the case. There will be NO EXCEPTIONS to this policy.
When appearing before the Commission to put an agreement on the record, attorneys shall be dressed in the same manner as when appearing for hearing or trial.

March 8

REGULATORY CHANGE- ATTORNEY FEE
Revised Attorney Fee Guide regulations, incorporating non-substantive changes to the regulations discussed at a public meeting on September 30, 2002 were adopted by the Commission at its February 13, 2003 meeting and will be published in the March 7, 2003 issue of the MD Register. These regulations become effective March 17, 2003.

March 6

Workers' Compensation Appeals (navigate from Adjudication/Claims) has been updated.