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Act Now - The Report of the WCB Legislative Review Panel to the

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Implementing a decision <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Review</strong> Committee.Lodging an appeal.Holding an appeal hearing.<strong>Report</strong>ing on <strong>the</strong> decision <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Appeals Tribunal.Implementing a decision <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Appeals Tribunal.<strong>The</strong> legislation in 5 jurisdictions currently includes time limits for some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> steps in<strong>the</strong> appeal processes. Most are directed <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> Appeals Tribunal. <strong>The</strong> Friedman <strong>Report</strong>recommends introducing time limits, and <strong>the</strong> Task Force <strong>Report</strong> on <strong>the</strong> Workers’Compensation System in Newfoundland and Labrador (February 16, 2001) recommendsreducing time limits now contained in legislation.<strong>The</strong> <strong>Panel</strong> accepts <strong>the</strong> need for time limits on <strong>the</strong> steps in <strong>the</strong> appeals processes with oneexception. <strong>The</strong> <strong>Act</strong>s do not place a time limit for a worker, dependant, or employer <strong>to</strong> askfor a review <strong>of</strong> a decision by WBC administration. <strong>The</strong> <strong>Panel</strong> considered recommendingtime limits for requesting a review. <strong>The</strong> <strong>Panel</strong> was concerned that with <strong>the</strong> changing<strong>WCB</strong> environment (e.g., medical technology), new evidence that affects a decision mightnot come <strong>to</strong> light in a timely fashion. This concern outweighed <strong>the</strong> <strong>Panel</strong>’s concern for<strong>the</strong> security <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Accident Fund with claims made long after a work-related injuryoccurred.<strong>The</strong> <strong>Panel</strong> accepts that <strong>the</strong>re are times an appellant might wish <strong>to</strong> extend <strong>the</strong> required timelimits – for example, <strong>to</strong> present new evidences that cannot be ga<strong>the</strong>red or has not come <strong>to</strong>light within <strong>the</strong> required time frame.It should be clear that <strong>the</strong> time limits <strong>the</strong> <strong>Panel</strong> is recommending also apply <strong>to</strong> any stay ororder for rehearing from <strong>the</strong> <strong>WCB</strong> Board <strong>of</strong> Direc<strong>to</strong>rs.<strong>WCB</strong> <strong>Legislative</strong> <strong>Review</strong> <strong>Panel</strong> <strong>Report</strong> Page 45 <strong>of</strong> 128December, 2001

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