U.S. Department of Labor Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs
Divsion of Longshore and
Harbor Workers’ Compensation
Washington, D.C. 20210

File Number:
June 25, 2012

INDUSTRY NOTICE No. 139

NOTICE TO EMPLOYERS, INSURANCE CARRIERS AND SELF-INSURED EMPLOYERS UNDER THE
LONGSHORE AND HARBOR WORKERS’ COMPENSATION ACT, AND OTHER INTERESTED
PERSONS

SUBJECT: Transfer of cases from the Baltimore, Maryland District Office of the Office of
Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP), Division of Longshore and Harbor
Workers’ Compensation, to the Norfolk, Virginia Longshore District Office

Effective July 1, 2012, with the exceptions explained below, all open cases for claimants living
in Pennsylvania, Delaware and West Virginia, will be transferred from the Baltimore, MD
District Office, to the Norfolk, VA District Office. Authority for this action is provided by 33
U.S.C. §§ 919(g) and 939(b) and 20 C.F.R. §§ 702.102 and 702.104. This action is necessary in
order to efficiently administer the Act.

Existing cases will be transferred as soon as practicable after July 1, 2012, starting with the
oldest cases first, until all affected files have been transferred. All newly created case files for
injuries in Pennsylvania, Delaware and West Virginia will be transferred to Norfolk ona
weekly basis. Cases that require immediate action by OWCP staff, including but not limited
to requests for informal conference, independent medical examinations, vocational
rehabilitation, referral for formal hearing, and Special Fund Relief, will be transferred
immediately to the Norfolk District Office.

NEW REPORTS of injuries or death that occur within Pennsylvania, Delaware, West Virginia,
Maryland and the District of Columbia will continue to be reported to and created in the
Baltimore District Office. The Baltimore District Office retains jurisdiction of cases in which
the claimants reside in Maryland and the District of Columbia.

All parties to the cases will be notified of the transfers in writing. Any party objecting to a
transfer must do so in writing, stating the reasons why the case should not be transferred.
Transfer will only be stayed for good cause. The objection must be mailed to the District
Director of the Norfolk, VA District Office.

EXCEPTIONS: The following types of cases, all of which have pending actions by Baltimore
District Office staff, will be transferred to Norfolk after the pending action is completed:

4. Cases in which an informal conference has been scheduled will be transferred after
the informal conference is held and the Baltimore District Office written
recommendation is issued.


2. Cases in which an informal conference has been held and written recommendation is
forthcoming will be maintained in the Baltimore District Office and that office will
issue the recommendation. Thereafter, the case will be transferred from Baltimore to
Norfolk.

3. Cases with pending or recent settlements pursuant to 33 USC §908(().

4. Cases where a civil penalty has been assessed and payment is still pending.

Parties with cases transferred to Norfolk, VA may request that informal conferences be
conducted via telephone, or via video link. The OWCP has videoconference equipment
available at the Baltimore, MD, Longshore District Office and the Philadelphia, PA, OWCP
Regional Office. For more information, please contact your local OWCP/DLHWC offices at:

Longshore District Office 4, Baltimore
U.S. Department of Labor
OWCP/DLHWC

31 Hopkins Plaza

Room 410-B - Federal Building
Baltimore, MD 21201

Phone: (410) 962-3677

Fax: (410) 962-2796

Longshore District Office 5, Norfolk
U.S. Department of Labor
OwcP/DLHWC

Federal Building, Room 212

200 Granby Mall

Norfolk, VA 23510

Phone: (757) 441-3071

Fax: (757) 441-6909

MIRANDA CHIU le
Director, Division of

Longshore and Harbor
Workers' Compensation