Mich. Comp. Laws § 421.34 — MI Code / Chapter 421 / Act Act-1-of-1936-Ex-Sess- / Section 421.34
Appeal to Michigan compensation appellate commission from findings of fact and decision or from denial of motion for rehearing or reopening.
Status: in_force

Sec. 34.

(1) The Michigan compensation appellate commission created in Executive Reorganization Order No. 2011-6, MCL 445.2032, has full authority to handle, process, and decide appeals filed under section 33(2).

(2) An appeal to the Michigan compensation appellate commission from the findings of fact and decision of the administrative law judge or from a denial by the administrative law judge of a motion for a rehearing or reopening shall be a matter of right by an interested party. The Michigan compensation appellate commission, on the basis of evidence previously submitted and additional evidence as it requires, shall affirm, modify, set aside, or reverse the findings of fact and decision of the administrative law judge or a denial by the administrative law judge of a motion for rehearing or reopening.

(3) The agency is an interested party in a matter before an administrative law judge, the Michigan compensation appellate commission, or a court, but notice of hearing is not required to be provided to the agency for a hearing before an administrative law judge or the Michigan compensation appellate commission.

(4) The Michigan compensation appellate commission shall conduct an oral hearing in a matter before it only after an application for the hearing is made by an interested party and the application is approved by 2 or more members of the Michigan compensation appellate commission assigned to review the appeal. If an application for an oral hearing is not approved, the Michigan compensation appellate commission may consider a written argument if an application for written argument is approved by 2 or more members of the Michigan compensation appellate commission assigned to review the appeal and all parties are represented or all parties agree that written argument should be considered. If neither an oral hearing is held nor written argument considered, the Michigan compensation appellate commission shall decide the case on the record before the administrative law judge.

(5) The Michigan compensation appellate commission, in its discretion, may omit the basis for its decision in cases in which it affirms the decision of an administrative law judge without alteration or modification.

(6) If the appellant fails to appear, the Michigan compensation appellate commission may dismiss the proceedings or take other action it considers advisable.

(7) The Michigan compensation appellate commission may, either upon application by an interested party for rehearing or on its own motion, proceed to rehear, affirm, modify, set aside, or reverse a prior decision on the basis of the evidence previously submitted in that case, or on the basis of additional evidence if the application or motion is made within 30 days after the date of mailing of the prior decision. The Michigan compensation appellate commission may, for good cause, reopen and review a prior decision of the Michigan compensation appellate commission and issue a new decision after the 30-day appeal period has expired, but a review shall not be made unless the request is filed with the Michigan compensation appellate commission, or review is initiated by the Michigan compensation appellate commission with notice to the interested parties, within 1 year after the date of mailing of the prior decision. Unless an interested party, within 30 days after mailing of a copy of a decision of the Michigan compensation appellate commission or of a denial of a motion for a rehearing, files an appeal from the decision or denial, or seeks judicial review as provided in section 38, the decision shall be final.

(8) The Michigan compensation appellate commission may on its own motion affirm, modify, set aside, or reverse a decision or order of an administrative law judge on the basis of the evidence previously submitted in the case; direct the taking of additional evidence; or permit a party to the decision or order to initiate further appeals before it. The Michigan compensation appellate commission shall permit a further appeal by a party interested in a decision or order of an administrative law judge or by the Michigan compensation appellate commission if its initial ruling has been overruled or modified. The Michigan compensation appellate commission may remove to itself or direct the Michigan administrative hearing system to transfer to another administrative law judge the proceedings on appeal, rehearing, or review pending before an administrative law judge. The Michigan compensation appellate commission shall promptly notify the interested parties of its findings and decisions.

(9) A member of the Michigan compensation appellate commission may administer oaths and take depositions.

(10) The testimony at a hearing before an administrative law judge or the Michigan compensation appellate commission shall be recorded, but need not be transcribed unless requested by the majority of the panel of the Michigan compensation appellate commission assigned to hear the claim. If an interested party wants a copy of a transcript of a hearing held before an administrative law judge or the Michigan compensation appellate commission, an interested party may request and shall be provided a transcript. An interested party who requests a transcript is responsible for the cost of the transcript.

(11) The manner in which an appeal to an administrative law judge and the Michigan compensation appellate commission shall be presented, the appeal reports required from an interested party, and the procedure governing the appeal shall be in accordance with rules promulgated by the Michigan administrative hearing system.

History: 1936, Ex. Sess., Act 1, Imd. Eff. Dec. 24, 1936; Am. 1939, Act 324, Imd. Eff. June 22, 1939; Am. 1941, Act 364, Imd. Eff. July 1, 1941; CL 1948, 421.34; Am. 1951, Act 251, Imd. Eff. June 17, 1951; Am. 1965, Act 281, Eff. Sept. 5, 1965; Am. 1975, Act 110, Eff. June 8, 1975; Am. 1977, Act 52, Imd. Eff. July 5, 1977; Am. 1983, Act 164, Eff. Oct. 1, 1983; Am. 2011, Act 269, Imd. Eff. Dec. 19, 2011