Source: http://dccode.elaws.us/code?no=32-15&e=8
Timestamp: 2019-12-12 01:56:56
Document Index: 189747570

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 32', '§ 24', '§ 36', '§ 32', '§ 36', '§ 32', '§ 11', '§ 36', '§ 32', '§ 36', '§ 32', '§ 13', '§ 36', '§ 32', '§ 17', '§ 36', '§ 32', '§ 18', '§ 36', '§ 32', '§ 19', '§ 36', '§ 32', '§ 32', '§ 32', '§ 32', '§ 32', '§ 32', '§ 32', '§ 20', '§ 36', '§ 32', '§ 22', '§ 36', '§ 32', '§ 22', '§ 1102', '§ 1102', '§ 1102', '§ 32', '§ 2', '§ 32', '§ 36', '§ 32', '§ 1102', '§ 1102', '§ 32', '§ 32', '§ 24', '§ 36', '§ 32', '§ 32', '§ 32', '§ 32', '§ 32', '§ 25', '§ 36', '§ 32', '§ 36', '§ 32', '§ 32', '§ 27', '§ 36', '§ 32', '§ 28', '§ 36', '§ 32', '§ 32', '§ 32', '§ 29', '§ 2', '§ 36', '§ 32', '§ 30', '§ 36', '§ 32', '§ 32', '§ 36', '§ 32', '§ 34', '§ 36', '§ 32', '§ 35', '§ 36', '§ 32', '§ 37', '§ 36', '§ 32', '§ 38', '§ 36', '§ 32', '§ 32', '§ 40', '§ 2', '§ 36', '§ 32', '§ 32', '§ 32', '§ 41', '§ 3', '§ 2', '§ 1102', '§ 36', '§ 3', '§ 3', '§ 1102', '§ 1112', '§ 1102', '§ 1112', '§ 32', '§ 32', '§ 32', '§ 36', '§ 1102', '§ 1102', '§ 2193', '§ 32', '§ 32', '§ 32', '§ 43', '§ 36', '§ 32', '§ 43', '§ 2', '§ 36', '§ 32', '§ 43', '§ 1102', '§ 1102', '§ 1102', '§ 32', '§ 43', '§ 1102', '§ 1102', '§ 1102', '§ 32', '§ 45', '§ 36', '§ 32', '§ 1', '§ 47', '§ 2', '§ 36']

§ 32-1503. Coverage.
(a-1) No employee shall receive compensation under this chapter and at any time receive compensation under the workers' compensation law of any other state for the same injury or death.
(a-3) An employee and his employer who are not residents of the District of Columbia and whose contract of hire is entered into in another state shall be exempted from the provisions of this chapter while such employee is temporarily or intermittently within the District of Columbia doing work for such nonresident employer, if such employer has furnished workers' compensation insurance coverage under the workers' compensation or similar laws of such other state, so as to cover such employee's employment while in the District of Columbia. The benefits under this chapter or similar laws of such other state shall be the exclusive remedy against such employer for any injury, whether resulting in death or not, received by such employee while working for such employer in the District of Columbia.
(e) The requirements of this chapter shall apply with regard to the nonprisoners employed in a prison industries program operating on the grounds of a District correctional facility, whether within the District or elsewhere, and maintained in accordance with the Prison Industries Act of 1996. The requirements of this chapter also shall apply with regard to prisoners employed in a prison industry approved under the Bureau of Justice Assistance Private Sector Prison Industry Enhancement Certification Program as defined in § 24- 231.01(1).
1981 Ed., § 36-303.
§ 32-1504. Exclusiveness of liability and remedy.
(b) The compensation to which an employee is entitled under this chapter shall constitute the employee's exclusive remedy against the employer, or any collective-bargaining agent of the employer's employees and any employee, officer, director, or agent of such employer, insurer, or collective-bargaining agent (while acting within the scope of his employment) for any illness, injury, or death arising out of and in the course of his employment; provided, that if an employer fails to secure payment of compensation as required by this chapter, an injured employee, or his legal representative in case death results from the injury, may elect to claim compensation under this chapter, or to maintain an action at law for damages on account of such injury or death. In such action the defendant may not plead as a defense that injury was caused by the negligence of a fellow servant, nor that the employee assumed the risk of his employment, nor that the injury was due to the contributory negligence of the employee.
1981 Ed., § 36-304.
D.C. Law 17-231, in subsec. (a), substituted "spouse or domestic partner," for "husband or wife,".
§ 32-1510. Occupational disease.
In case of pneumoconiosis, such as silicosis and asbestosis, radiation diseases, and any other generally recognized occupational disease, liability for compensation rests with the employer of the last known exposure.
(July 1, 1980, D.C. Law 3-77, § 11, 27 DCR 2503.)
1981 Ed., § 36-310.
§ 32-1511. Determination of average weekly wage.
(6) If the injured employee has not worked in this employment during substantially the whole of the period, the employee's average weekly wage shall consist of 130 times the average daily wage or salary, divided by 26 weeks, which an employee of the same class working substantially the whole of the immediately preceding period in the same or similar employment, in the same or a similar neighboring place, shall have earned in the employment during the days when so employed.
(b) The terms "average weekly wage" and "total wages" as used in this section shall include reasonable value for board and lodging received from the employer plus gratuities declared for tax purposes by the employee.
1981 Ed., § 36-311.
D.C. Law 13-49 in subsec. (a)(6) inserted the phrase "divided by 26 weeks," after the phrase "salary,".
§ 32-1512. Guardian for minor or incompetent.
(July 1, 1980, D.C. Law 3-77, § 13, 27 DCR 2503.)
1981 Ed., § 36-312.
§ 32-1516. Invalid agreements.
(a) No agreement by an employee to pay any portion of premium paid by his employer to a carrier or to contribute to a benefit fund or department maintained by such employer for the purpose of providing compensation or medical services and supplies as required by this chapter shall be valid, and any employer who makes a deduction for such purpose or any employee entitled to the benefits of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine of not more than $1,000.
(July 1, 1980, D.C. Law 3-77, § 17, 27 DCR 2503.)
1981 Ed., § 36-316.
§ 32-1517. Assignment of compensation; exemption from claims of creditors.
No assignment, release, or commutation of compensation or benefits due or payable under this chapter, except as provided by this chapter, shall be valid, and such compensation and benefits shall be exempt from all claims or creditors and from levy, execution, and attachment or other remedy for recovery or collection of a debt, which exemption may not be waived.
(July 1, 1980, D.C. Law 3-77, § 18, 27 DCR 2503.)
1981 Ed., § 36-317.
§ 32-1518. Compensation as lien against assets.
Any person entitled to compensation under the provisions of this chapter shall have a lien against the assets of the carrier or employer for such compensation without limit of amount, and shall, upon insolvency, bankruptcy, or reorganization in bankruptcy proceedings of the carrier or employer, or both, be entitled to preference and priority in the distribution of the assets of such carrier or employer, or both.
(July 1, 1980, D.C. Law 3-77, § 19, 27 DCR 2503.)
1981 Ed., § 36-318.
§ 32-1519. Collection of defaulted payments.
(a) In case of default by the employer in the payment of compensation due under any award of compensation for a period of 30 days after the compensation is due and payable, the person to whom such compensation is payable may, within 2 years after such default, make application to the Mayor for a supplementary order declaring the amount of the default. After investigation, notice and hearing, as provided in § 32-1520, the Mayor shall make a supplementary order, declaring the amount of the default, which shall be filed in the same manner as the compensation order. In case the payment in default is an installment of the award the Mayor may, in his discretion, declare the whole of the award as the amount in default. The applicant may file a certified copy of such supplementary order with the Clerk of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. Such supplementary order of the Mayor shall be final, and the Court shall, upon the filing of the copy, enter judgment for the amount declared in default by the supplementary order. No fee shall be required for filing the supplementary order nor for entry of judgment thereon, and the applicant shall not be liable for costs in a proceeding for review of the judgment unless the Court shall otherwise direct. The Court shall modify such judgment to conform to any later compensation order upon presentation of a certified copy thereof to the Court.
(b) In cases where judgment cannot be satisfied by reason of the employer's insolvency or other circumstances precluding payment, the Mayor may, in his discretion, and to the extent he shall determine advisable after consideration or current commitments payable from the special fund established in § 32- 1540, make payment from such fund upon any award made under this chapter, and, in addition, provide any necessary medical, surgical, and other treatment required by § 32-1507 in any case of disability where there has been a default in furnishing medical treatment by reason of the insolvency of the employer. Such an employer shall be liable for payment into such fund of the amounts paid therefrom by the Mayor under this subsection; and for the purposes of enforcing this liability, the Mayor for the benefit of the fund shall be subrogated to all the rights of the person receiving such payment or benefits, including the right of lien and priority provided for by § 32-1518 as against the employer and may by a proceeding in the name of the Mayor under § 32-1520 or under § 32-1522(c), or both, seek to recover the amount of the default or so much thereof as in the judgment of the Mayor is possible, or the Mayor may settle and compromise any such claim.
(July 1, 1980, D.C. Law 3-77, § 20, 27 DCR 2503.)
1981 Ed., § 36-319.
§ 32-1521. Presumptions.
(1) That the claim comes within the provisions of this chapter;
(2) That sufficient notice of such claim has been given;
(3) That the injury was not occasioned solely by the intoxication of the injured employee; and
(4) That the injury was not occasioned by the willful intention of the injured employee to injure or kill himself or another.
(July 1, 1980, D.C. Law 3-77, § 22, 27 DCR 2503.)
1981 Ed., § 36-321.
§ 32-1521.01. Establishment of Compensation Order Review Board.
(a) There is hereby established a Compensation Order Review Board ("Board") that shall consist of 5 members as follows:
(1) The Chief Judge of the Office of Hearings and Adjudication ("OHA") within the Department of Employment Services who shall serve as Chairperson; and
(b) The Chairperson shall have the authority to create from among the members of the Board one or more Compensation Order Review Panels ("panel") which shall:
(2) Dispose of the matter under review by issuing an order affirming the compensation order; reversing the compensation order, in whole or in part, and amending the order based on the panel's findings, or by remanding the order to the issuing Administrative Law Judge for further review; except, that:
(July 1, 1980, D.C. Law 3-77, § 22a, as added Dec. 7, 2004, D.C. Law 15- 205, § 1102(a), 51 DCR 8441.)
For temporary (90 day) addition, see § 1102(a) of Fiscal Year 2005 Budget Support Emergency Act of 2004 (D.C. Act 15-486, August 2, 2004, 51 DCR 8236).
For temporary (90 day) addition, see § 1102(a) of Fiscal Year 2005 Budget Support Congressional Review Emergency Act of 2004 (D.C. Act 15-594, October 26, 2004, 51 DCR 11725).
Short title of subtitle J of title I of Law 15-205: Section 1101 of D.C. Law 15-205 provided that subtitle J of title I of the act may be cited as the Workers' Compensation Administrative Reform and Anti-Fraud Amendment Act of 2004.
§ 32-1522. Review of compensation orders.
(3) Pursuant to the District of Columbia Administrative Procedure Act (§ 2- 501 et seq.), any party in interest who is adversely affected or aggrieved by a final decision rendered after review of a compensation order as provided in paragraph (2A) of this subsection or any party in interest who is adversely affected or aggrieved by a compensation order which has been filed as provided in § 32-1520 may petition for review of such decision or order by the District of Columbia Court of Appeals. If any party shall apply to the Court for leave to adduce additional evidence and shall show to the satisfaction of the Court that such additional evidence is material and that there were reasonable grounds for failure to adduce such evidence in the hearing before the Mayor, the Court may order such additional evidence to be taken before the Mayor, and to be made part of the record. The Court may remand the case for appropriate action.
1981 Ed., § 36-322.
D.C. Law 15-205, in subsec. (a), substituted "an application for review has been filed with the Board" for "proceedings for the suspension or setting aside of such order are instituted"; in subsec. (b), repealed pars. (1) and (2), added par. (2A), and, in par. (3), substituted "(2A) of this subsection or" for "(2) of this subsection, or, if the Mayor has declined to review the order or does not establish a procedure for such review". Prior to amendment, pars. (1) and (2) of subsec. (b) had read as follows:
"(1) Where a compensation order is not in accordance with this chapter, such order may be suspended or set aside, in whole or in part, upon application of any party for review of the order by the Mayor, or, if the Mayor declines to review the order or does not provide for such review as authorized in paragraph (2) of this subsection or if a final decision pursuant to such review is not rendered within the time period established in paragraph (2) of this subsection, then by the District of Columbia Court of Appeals in accordance with paragraph (3) of this subsection.
"(2) The Mayor is authorized to establish an administrative procedure for review of compensation orders raising a substantial question of law or fact. Application for such review shall be made by any party within 30 days from the date a compensation order is filed as provided in § 32-1520. Final decisions issued pursuant to such review shall be rendered within 45 days from the date of the application and shall be based upon the record of the hearing. If a final decision is not rendered within such 45-day period the compensation order shall be considered a final decision for purposes of appeal pursuant to paragraph (3) of this subsection. The findings of fact in the order under review shall be conclusive if supported by substantial evidence in the record, considered as a whole. A case may be remanded for further appropriate action. If any party shall apply to the Mayor for leave to adduce additional evidence and shall show to the satisfaction of the Mayor that such additional evidence is material and that there were reasonable grounds for the failure to adduce such evidence in the initial hearing before the Mayor, the Mayor may order such additional evidence to be taken and to be made a part of the record. The Mayor may modify his findings with respect to questions of fact, if supported by substantial evidence on the record considered as a whole. The Mayor may modify or set aside his original order by reason of such modified or new findings of fact. The application by a party for leave to adduce additional evidence shall stop the running of the 45-day period in which a decision by the Mayor must be rendered. If the Mayor remands the case, any party may apply for review within 30 days from the date a new compensation order is filed. A final decision must be rendered within 45 days from the date of the application for review of such new compensation order, and if not rendered within such period, then upon expiration of the 45 days such new compensation order shall be considered a final decision for purposes of paragraph (3) of this subsection. The payment of any amounts required by a compensation order shall not be stayed pending final decision on review unless so ordered on the grounds that irreparable injury would otherwise ensue to the employer."
For temporary (90 day) amendment of section, see § 1102(b) of Fiscal Year 2005 Budget Support Emergency Act of 2004 (D.C. Act 15-486, August 2, 2004, 51 DCR 8236).
For temporary (90 day) amendment of section, see § 1102(b) of Fiscal Year 2005 Budget Support Congressional Review Emergency Act of 2004 (D.C. Act 15-594, October 26, 2004, 51 DCR 11725).
For Law 16-191, see notes following § 32-242.
§ 32-1523. Appearance of Corporation Counsel for Mayor.
In any court proceedings instituted under the provisions of this chapter, the Corporation Counsel of the District of Columbia shall appear as attorney or counsel on behalf of the Mayor whether the Mayor is a party to the case or interested, and shall represent the Mayor in any court in which such case may be carried on appeal.
(July 1, 1980, D.C. Law 3-77, § 24, 27 DCR 2503.)
1981 Ed., § 36-323.
§ 32-1524. Modification of awards.
(a) At any time prior to 1 year after the date of the last payment of compensation or at any time prior to 1 year after the rejection of a claim, provided, however, that in the case of a claim filed pursuant to § 32- 1508(a)(3)(V) the time period shall be at any time prior to 3 years after the date of the last payment of compensation or at any time prior to 3 years after the rejection of a claim, the Mayor may, upon his own initiative or upon application of a party in interest, order a review of a compensation case pursuant to the procedures provided in § 32-1520 where there is reason to believe that a change of conditions has occurred which raises issues concerning:
(1) The fact or the degree of disability or the amount of compensation payable pursuant thereto; or
(2) The fact of eligibility or the amount of compensation payable pursuant to § 32-1509.
(b) A review ordered pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall be limited solely to new evidence which directly addresses the alleged change of conditions.
(c) Upon the completion of a review conducted pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, the Mayor shall issue a new compensation order which may terminate, continue, reinstate, increase, or decrease such compensation previously paid, or award compensation. An award increasing or decreasing the compensation rate may be made and shall be effective from the date of the Mayor's order for a review of the compensation case. If, since the date of the Mayor's order for a review of the compensation case, the employer has made any payments of compensation at a rate greater than the rate provided in the new compensation order, the employer shall be entitled to be reimbursed for the difference in accordance with rules promulgated by the Mayor. If, since the date of the Mayor's order for review of the compensation case, the employer has made any payments of compensation at a rate less than the rate provided in the new compensation order, the employee shall be entitled to the difference as additional compensation in accordance with rules promulgated by the Mayor.
(d) A compensation order issued pursuant to subsection (c) of this section shall be reviewable pursuant to § 32-1522.
(July 1, 1980, D.C. Law 3-77, § 25, 27 DCR 2503.)
1981 Ed., § 36-324.
§ 32-1525. Hearings before Mayor.
1981 Ed., § 36-325.
D.C. Law 19-168, in the first sentence of subsec. (b), substituted "reported stenographically or by such other method capable of producing an accurate transcript" for "stenographically reported".
For history of Law 19-168, see notes under § 32-771.
Short title: Section 2171 of D.C. Law 19-168 provided that subtitle R of title II of the act may be cited as "Workers' Compensation Transcription Efficiency Amendment Act of 2012".
§ 32-1526. Attendance of witnesses.
No person shall be required to attend as a witness in any proceeding before the Mayor at more than 25 miles of the place of the hearing, unless his lawful mileage and fee for 1 day's attendance shall be first paid or tendered to him; but the testimony of any witness including that of an interested party may be taken by deposition or interrogatories according to the rules of practice of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.
(July 1, 1980, D.C. Law 3-77, § 27, 27 DCR 2503.)
1981 Ed., § 36-326.
§ 32-1527. Witness fees.
Witnesses summoned in a proceeding before the Mayor or whose depositions are taken shall receive the same fees and mileage as witnesses in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.
(July 1, 1980, D.C. Law 3-77, § 28, 27 DCR 2503.)
1981 Ed., § 36-327.
For legislative history of D.C. Law 3-77, see Historical and Statutory Notes following § 32-15301.
§ 32-1528. Costs in proceedings brought without reasonable grounds; penalty for unreasonable delay in payment of compensation.
(a) If the trier of fact or court having jurisdiction of proceedings in respect of any claim or compensation order determines that the proceedings in respect of such claim or order have been instituted or continued without reasonable ground, the costs of such proceedings shall be assessed against the party who has so instituted or continued such proceedings.
(b) If the Mayor or court determines that an employer or carrier has delayed the payment of any installment of compensation to an employee in bad faith, the employer shall pay to the injured employee, for the duration of the delay, the actual weekly wage of the employee for the period that the employee is eligible to receive workers' compensation benefits under this chapter. The penalty shall be in addition to any amount paid pursuant to § 32-1515.
(July 1, 1980, D.C. Law 3-77, § 29, 27 DCR 2503; Mar. 6, 1991, D.C. Law 8-198, § 2(f), 37 DCR 6890.)
1981 Ed., § 36-328.
§ 32-1529. Powers of Mayor.
(a) The Mayor shall have the power to preserve and enforce order during any such proceedings, to issue subpoenas for, to administer oaths to, and to compel the attendance and testimony of witnesses, or the production of books, papers, documents, and other evidence, or the taking of depositions before any designated individual competent to administer oaths; to examine witnesses; and to do all things in conformity with law which may be necessary to enable him to effectively discharge the duties of his office.
(b) If any person in proceedings before the Mayor disobeys or resists any lawful order or process, or misbehaves during a hearing or so near the place thereof as to obstruct the same, or neglects to produce, after having been ordered to do so, any pertinent book, paper, or document, or refuses to appear after having been subpoenaed, or upon appearing refuses to take the oath as a witness, or after having taken the oath refuses to be examined according to law, the Mayor shall certify the facts to the Superior Court of the District of Columbia which shall thereupon in a summary manner hear the evidence as to the acts complained of, and, if the evidence so warrants, punish such person in the same manner and to the same extent as for a contempt committed before the Court, or commit such person upon the same conditions as if the doing of the forbidden act had occurred with reference to the process of or in the presence of the Court.
(July 1, 1980, D.C. Law 3-77, § 30, 27 DCR 2503.)
1981 Ed., § 36-329.
§ 32-1531. Employer record of injury or death.
Every employer shall keep a record with respect of any injury to an employee. Such record shall contain such information of disease, other disability, or death in respect of such injury as the Mayor may by regulation require, and shall be available for inspection by an authorized representative of the Mayor or of any agency of the government of the District of Columbia at such times and under such conditions as the Mayor may by regulation prescribe.
(July 1, 1980, D.C. Law 3-77, § 32, 27 DCR 2503.)
1981 Ed., § 36-331.
§ 32-1533. Penalty for misrepresentation.
Any person who willfully makes any false or misleading statement or representation for the purpose of obtaining any benefit or payment under this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine of not to exceed $1,000 or by imprisonment of not to exceed 1 year, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
(July 1, 1980, D.C. Law 3-77, § 34, 27 DCR 2503.)
1981 Ed., § 36-333.
§ 32-1534. Security for payment of compensation.
(a) Every employer shall secure the payment of compensation under this chapter: (1) by insuring and keeping insured the payment of such compensation with any stock company or mutual company or association, or with any person or fund, while such person or fund is authorized: (A) under the laws of the United States, the District of Columbia, or of any state, to insure workers' compensation; and (B) by the Mayor to insure payment of compensation under this chapter; or (2) by furnishing satisfactory proof to the Mayor of his financial ability to pay such compensation and receiving an authorization from the Mayor to pay such compensation directly. The Mayor may, as a condition to such authorization, require such employer to deposit with the District of Columbia Treasurer either an indemnity bond or securities (at the option of the employer) of a kind and in an amount determined by the Mayor, and subject to such conditions as the Mayor may prescribe, which shall include authorization to the Mayor, in case of default, to sell any such securities sufficient to pay compensation awards or to bring suit upon such bonds, to procure prompt payment of compensation under this chapter. Any employer securing compensation in accordance with the provisions of this subsection shall be known as a self-insurer.
(b) In granting authorization to any carrier to insure payment of compensation under this chapter the Mayor may take into consideration the recommendation of any District authority having supervision over carriers. Any carrier so authorized by the Mayor shall maintain a representative in the District of Columbia who can fulfill all of the obligations of the carrier under this chapter and who shall maintain a file of all active claims being serviced by the carrier in the District of Columbia. The Mayor may suspend or revoke the authorization of any carrier to insure payment of compensation under this chapter for good cause shown after a hearing at which the carrier shall be entitled to be heard in person or by counsel and to present evidence. No suspension or revocation shall affect the liability of any carrier already incurred.
(July 1, 1980, D.C. Law 3-77, § 35, 27 DCR 2503.)
1981 Ed., § 36-334.
§ 32-1536. Notice of compensation secured.
Every employer who has secured compensation under the provisions of this chapter shall keep posted in a conspicuous place or places in and about his place or places of business typewritten or printed notices, in accordance with a form prescribed by the Mayor, stating that such employer has secured the payment of compensation in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. Such notices shall contain the name and address of the carrier, if any, with whom the employer has secured payment of compensation and the date of the expiration of the policy.
(July 1, 1980, D.C. Law 3-77, § 37, 27 DCR 2503.)
1981 Ed., § 36-336.
§ 32-1537. Discharge of liability.
In any case where the employer is not a self-insurer, in order that the liability for compensation imposed by this chapter may be most effectively discharged by the employer, and in order that the administration of this chapter in respect of such liability may be facilitated, the Mayor shall by regulation provide for the discharge, by the carrier for such employer, of such obligations and duties of the employer, in respect to such liability, imposed by this chapter upon the employer, as he considers proper in order to effectuate the provisions of this chapter. For such purposes:
(1) Notice to or knowledge of an employer of the occurrence of the injury shall be notice to or knowledge of the carrier; and
(2) Any requirement by the Mayor or any court under any compensation order, finding, or decision shall be binding upon the carrier in the same manner and to the same extent as upon the employer.
(July 1, 1980, D.C. Law 3-77, § 38, 27 DCR 2503.)
1981 Ed., § 36-337.
§ 32-1539. Failure to secure payment of compensation.
(a) Any employer required to secure the payment of compensation under this chapter who fails to secure such compensation shall be assessed a civil fine of not less than $1,000 and not more than $10,000; and in any case where such employer is a corporation, the president, secretary, and treasurer thereof shall be also severally liable to such fine as herein provided for the failure of such corporation to secure the payment of compensation; and such president, secretary, and treasurer shall be severally and personally liable, jointly with such corporation, for any compensation or other benefit which may accrue under the chapter in respect to any injury which may occur to any employee or such corporation while it shall so fail to secure the payment of compensation as required by § 32-1534.
(b) Any employer who knowingly transfers, sells, encumbers, assigns, or in any manner disposes of, conceals, secretes, or destroys any property belonging to such employer, after 1 of his employees has been injured within the purview of this chapter, and with intent to avoid the payment of compensation under this chapter to such employee or his dependents, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of not less than $1,000 and not more than $10,000, or by imprisonment for not more than 1 year, or by both such fine and imprisonment; and in any case where such employer is a corporation, the president, secretary, and treasurer thereof shall be also severally liable to such penalty of imprisonment as well as jointly liable with such corporation for such fine.
(c) This section shall not affect any other liability of the employer under this chapter.
(July 1, 1980, D.C. Law 3-77, § 40, 27 DCR 2503; Mar. 6, 1991, D.C. Law 8-198, § 2(g), 37 DCR 6890.)
1981 Ed., § 36-339.
§ 32-1540. Special fund.
(a) There is established in the Treasury of the District of Columbia a special fund for the purpose of making payments in accordance with the provisions of §§ 32-1507(c), 32-1507(e), 32-1508(6), and 32-1519(b). Such fund shall be administered by the Mayor.
(b) The Mayor shall be the custodian of the special fund, and all moneys and securities in such fund shall be held in trust by the Mayor and shall not be used for purposes other than those provided by this chapter. The Mayor may invest any portion of the fund which, in the opinion of the Mayor, is not needed for current requirements in bonds or notes of the United States or any federal land bank; provided, that such investments are made pursuant to the Financial Institutions Deposit and Investment Act of 1997.
(c) Neither the District of Columbia nor the Mayor shall be liable in respect of payments authorized under §§ 32-1507(c), 32-1507(e), 32-1508(6) and 32-1519(b) in any amount greater than the money or property deposited in or belonging to such fund.
(d) Payments into such fund shall be made as follows:
(1) Each employer shall pay $5,000 as compensation for the death of an employee of such employer resulting from injury where the Mayor determines that there is no person entitled under this chapter to compensation for such death;
(2) All amounts collected as fines and penalties under the provisions of this chapter shall be paid into such fund; and
(3) The total assessment amount shall be allocated between self-insured employers and insured employers based on paid losses for the fiscal year preceding the year in which the assessment is based. The method of assessing self-insured employers shall be based upon paid losses. The method of assessing insured employers shall be a surcharge based on premium as set forth in this subsection. The portion of the total aggregate assessment to be collected from self-insured employers shall be equal to that proportion of the total paid losses during the preceding fiscal year, which the total paid losses of all self-insured employers bore to the total paid losses made by all self-insured employers and insurers on behalf of all insured employers during the preceding fiscal year. The portion of the total aggregate assessment that shall be collected from insured employers shall be equal to that proportion of total paid losses during the preceding fiscal year, which the total paid losses made on behalf of all insured employers bore to the total paid losses made by all self-insured employers and insurers on behalf of all insured employers during the preceding fiscal year.
(4) Any employer which becomes self-insured shall be assessed as if it were insured for 24 months after conversion. The new self-insured employer shall be assessed on the basis of premium. The premium basis shall be equal to its premium for the policy period immediately preceding conversion to be self-insured, multiplied by the percentage change in the self-insured's payroll. The payroll measurement period shall be the fiscal year immediately preceding conversion and the subsequent 2 fiscal years.
(5) On or after September 1, 1999, and annually thereafter, the Mayor shall notify insurers of the premium surcharge rate to be effective for policies written or renewed on and after October 1, 1999, and annually thereafter. The Mayor shall notify self-insured employers, at the same time, of the amount to be assessed against self-insured employers for the following fiscal year. The assessment against self-insurers and the surcharge rate applicable to policies of insured employers, together with amounts generated by paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection, shall be sufficient to generate revenue needed to satisfy obligations to the Special Fund. Should the Mayor subsequently determine that the assessments are insufficient to meet the Special Fund's obligations during a fiscal year, the Mayor may assess self-insurers and insured employers to cover any anticipated deficiency, based upon the allocation method set forth in this subsection. Self-insured employers and insurers, on behalf of their policyholders, shall remit any emergency assessment within 30 calendar days of receipt of notice from the Mayor.
(6) Every workers' compensation insurer shall collect, from each of its policyholders, an amount equal to the insured employers' assessment through a surcharge based on premium. These assessments shall include any amounts paid by insurers on behalf of their policyholders to cover an emergency assessment by the Mayor during the previous fiscal year. Assessments when collected shall not constitute an element of loss for the purpose of establishing rates for workers' compensation insurance but, for the purpose of collection, shall be treated as separate costs imposed upon insured employers. The total of the assessment imposed by this subsection shall be stated as a separate cost on an insured employer's policy, or on a separate document submitted to the insured employer, and shall be identified as the "Workers' Compensation Policyholder Surcharge." Each assessment shall be shown as a percentage of the total workers' compensation policyholder premium. The premium surcharge shall be excluded from the definition of premiums for all purposes, including computation of agents' commissions or premium taxes.
(7) Insurers and self-insurers shall forward to the Special Fund all amounts collected pursuant to this section. These collections shall be for the administration of the Special Fund and shall not be part of the General Fund of the District of Columbia. Any balance remaining at the end of any fiscal year shall not revert to the General Fund and shall be used exclusively to offset any Special Fund assessment required in the next immediate fiscal year.
(e) The special fund shall be audited annually by the Department of Employment Services. The Director of the Department of Employment Services shall file an audited financial report with the Council by March 1st detailing the financial status of the fund as of the end of the preceding fiscal year, including the fund's operation, cash flow, and changes in capital and surplus, using standard accounting principles.
(f) All civil penalties provided for in this chapter shall be collected by civil suit brought by the Mayor.
(July 1, 1980, D.C. Law 3-77, § 41, 27 DCR 2503; Mar. 18, 1998, D.C. Law 12-56, § 3, 44 DCR 6933; Apr. 16, 1999, D.C. Law 12-229, § 2(j), 46 DCR 891; Dec. 7, 2004, D.C. Law 15-205, § 1102(c), 51 DCR 8441.)
1981 Ed., § 36-340.
D.C. Law 15-205 rewrote subsec. (e) to read as follows:
"(e) The accounts of the special fund shall be audited in the same manner as similar accounts of the District of Columbia."
For temporary amendment of section, see § 3 of the Financial Institutions Deposit and Investment Emergency Amendment Act of 1997 (D.C. Act 12-175, October 30, 1997, 44 DCR 6918).
For temporary amendment of section, see § 3 of the Financial Institutions Deposit and Investment Congressional Recess Emergency Amendment Act of 1998 (D.C. Act 12-281, February 25, 1998, 45 DCR 1707).
For temporary (90 day) amendment of section, see § 1102(c) of Fiscal Year 2005 Budget Support Emergency Act of 2004 (D.C. Act 15-486, August 2, 2004, 51 DCR 8236).
For temporary (90 day) worker's compensation third-party administrator study provisions, see § 1112 of Fiscal Year 2005 Budget Support Emergency Act of 2004 (D.C. Act 15-486, August 2, 2004, 51 DCR 8236).
For temporary (90 day) amendment of section, see § 1102(c) of Fiscal Year 2005 Budget Support Congressional Review Emergency Act of 2004 (D.C. Act 15-594, October 26, 2004, 51 DCR 11725).
For temporary (90 day) worker's compensation third-party administrator study provisions, see § 1112 of Fiscal Year 2005 Budget Support Congressional Review Emergency Act of 2004 (D.C. Act 15-594, October 26, 2004, 51 DCR 11725).
The "Financial Institutions Deposit and Investment Act of 1997," referred to in (b), is D.C. Law 12-56.
Short title of subtitle K of title I of Law 15-205: Section 1111 of D.C. Law 15-205 provided that subtitle K of title I of the act may be cited as the Workers' Compensation Third-Party Administrator Study Amendment Act of 2004.
Section 1112 of D.C. Law 15-205 provides: "By January 1, 2005, the Mayor shall provide the Council with an analysis of anticipated financial costs and savings if a third-party administrator would administer the special fund established by section 41 of the District of Columbia Workers' Compensation Act of 1979, effective July 1, 1980 (D.C. Law 3-77; D.C. Official Code § 32-1540)."
§ 32-1541. Administration fund.
(3) The Mayor shall determine, in each fiscal year commencing on or after September 30 of the fiscal year in which the Workers' Compensation Amendment Act of 1998 becomes effective, prior to the commencement of the fiscal year, the cost of administration of this chapter. The cost of administration shall include any expenses to be incurred or that will accrue during the fiscal year.
(d) The total amount of costs to administer this chapter, shall be pro rated among the carriers and self-insurers authorized to insure pursuant to § 32- 1534. The assessment base shall be the total amount of compensation and medical payments that carriers and self-insurers have paid pursuant to this chapter during the preceding fiscal year; provided, however, beginning with the fiscal year commencing on or after October 1, 1999, the Mayor shall have the authority to assess each carrier or self-insured a minimum annual amount of $1,000.
(e-1) If the Mayor fails to properly determine or redetermine the costs of administering this chapter or fails to properly determine or redetermine the assessment rate or assessments under this section, the assessment rates and assessments shall remain valid and no cause of action shall lie for the Mayor's failure.
(j) If a carrier or self-insurer fails to pay the assessment referred to in subsection (f) or (h) of this section, or to make and preserve records in the form and manner required by the Mayor, to file a report in the form and manner required by the Mayor, or to allow the Mayor to inspect records required by rules issued pursuant to this section, the Mayor may suspend or revoke the authorization of a carrier to insure for workers' compensation or a self-insurer to act as a self-insurer pursuant to this chapter.
(k) The administration fund shall be audited annually by the Department of Employment Services. The Director of the Department of Employment Services shall file an audited financial report with the Council by March 1st detailing the financial status of the fund as of the end of the preceding fiscal year, including the fund's operation, cash flow, and changes in capital and surplus, using standard accounting principles.
1981 Ed., § 36-341.
For temporary (90 day) amendment of section, see § 1102(d) of Fiscal Year 2005 Budget Support Emergency Act of 2004 (D.C. Act 15-486, August 2, 2004, 51 DCR 8236).
For temporary (90 day) amendment of section, see § 1102(d) of Fiscal Year 2005 Budget Support Congressional Review Emergency Act of 2004 (D.C. Act 15-594, October 26, 2004, 51 DCR 11725).
For temporary (90 day) amendment of section, see § 2193 of Fiscal Year 2011 Budget Support Emergency Act of 2010 (D.C. Act 18-463, July 2, 2010, 57 DCR 6542).
For Law 18-223, see notes following § 32-241.
The effective date of the Workers' Compensation Amendment Act of 1998, referred to in (a)(3), is April 16, 1999.
Section 2193(b) 0f D.C. Law 18-223 provides:
"(b) This section shall apply as of July 1, 1980."
§ 32-1542. Retaliatory actions by employer prohibited.
It shall be unlawful for any employer or his duly authorized agent to discharge or in any other manner discriminate against an employee as to his employment because such employee has claimed or attempted to claim compensation from such employer, or because he has testified or is about to testify in a proceeding under this chapter. Any employer who violates this section shall be liable to a penalty of not less than $100 or more than $1,000, as may be determined by the Mayor. All such penalties shall be paid to the Mayor for deposit in the special fund as described in § 32-1540, and if not paid may be recovered in a civil action brought in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. Any employee so discriminated against shall be restored to his employment and shall be compensated by his employer for any loss of wages arising out of such discrimination; provided, that if such employee ceases to be qualified to perform the duties of his employment, he shall not be entitled to such restoration and compensation. The employer alone and not his carrier shall be liable for such penalties and payments. Any provision in an insurance policy undertaking to relieve the employer from liability for such penalties and payments shall be void.
(July 1, 1980, D.C. Law 3-77, § 43, 27 DCR 2503.)
1981 Ed., § 36-342.
§ 32-1542.02. Commissioner of Insurance and Securities; rate filings.
(a) The Commissioner of Insurance and Securities ('Commissioner') shall take into consideration the profits of the insurers when evaluating the rate filing for workers' compensation insurance.
(b) Each rating organization shall file, within 60 days after April 16, 1999, a loss cost filing for new and renewal policies for workers' compensation insurance to be effective on and after April 16, 1999.
(d) Within 30 days of the Commissioner's final decision regarding a filing by a rating organization made pursuant to this section, each insurer writing workers' compensation insurance in the District shall file revised rates for the voluntary market in accordance with this decision. These revised rates shall be applicable to all new and renewal workers' compensation insurance policies effective on or after April 16, 1999. For any policy in effect on April 16, 1999, through the end of the policy period the premium shall be reduced by a percentage which equals the benefit level reduction. With respect to new and renewal policies effective on or after April 16, 1999, and before the final approval of the rates filed pursuant to this section, each workers' compensation insurance carrier shall, not later than 45 days after the rates approved pursuant to this section become final, adjust the premium of the new or renewal policy for the period after April 16, 1999, to reflect the difference between the premium on the policy as issued and the premium which reflects the rates as finally approved.
(July 1, 1980, D.C. Law 3-77, § 43b, as added Apr. 16, 1999, D.C. Law 12- 229, § 2(m), 46 DCR 891.)
1981 Ed., § 36-342.2
§ 32-1542.03. Anti-fraud reporting requirement.
The Director of the Department of Employment Services shall file an annual anti-fraud report with the Council by March 1st, which shall contain detailed and comprehensive information about the Department's anti-fraud activities relating to Workers' Compensation insurance during the preceding calendar year.
(July 1, 1980, D.C. Law 3-77, § 43c, as added Dec. 7, 2004, D.C. Law 15- 205, § 1102(e), 51 DCR 8441.)
For temporary (90 day) addition, see § 1102(e) of Fiscal Year 2005 Budget Support Emergency Act of 2004 (D.C. Act 15-486, August 2, 2004, 51 DCR 8236).
For temporary (90 day) addition, see § 1102(e) of Fiscal Year 2005 Budget Support Congressional Review Emergency Act of 2004 (D.C. Act 15-594, October 26, 2004, 51 DCR 11725).
§ 32-1542.04. Compliance.
(a) The Director of Employment Services ("Director") shall assign from the workforce in the Workers' Compensation office a staff equal to 5 full time equivalents to the enforcement of employer compliance with Workers' Compensation requirements, including enforcing existing law and referring cases to the Office of the Attorney General for prosecution.
(b) The Director shall file a semi-annual compliance report with the Council by March 31st and by September 30th, which shall contain detailed and comprehensive information about the compliance enforcement activities during the preceding 6 months.
(July 1, 1980, D.C. Law 3-77, § 43d, as added Dec. 7, 2004, D.C. Law 15- 205, § 1102(e), 51 DCR 8441.)
For temporary (90 day) addition, see § 1102(f) of Fiscal Year 2005 Budget Support Emergency Act of 2004 (D.C. Act 15-486, August 2, 2004, 51 DCR 8236).
For temporary (90 day) addition, see § 1102(f) of Fiscal Year 2005 Budget Support Congressional Review Emergency Act of 2004 (D.C. Act 15-594, October 26, 2004, 51 DCR 11725).
§ 32-1544. Severability.
Should a court of competent jurisdiction declare any provision of this chapter to be unconstitutional or beyond the authority of the Council of the District of Columbia, such declaration shall have no effect upon any other provision of this chapter.
(July 1, 1980, D.C. Law 3-77, § 45, 27 DCR 2503.)
1981 Ed., § 36-344.
§ 32-1545. Effective date.
This chapter shall take effect on 60 days after the expiration of the District of Columbia Workers' Compensation Act Emergency Amendment Act of 1982, after a 30-day period of Congressional review following approval by the Mayor (or in the event of veto by the Mayor, action by the Council of the District of Columbia to override the veto) as provided in § 1-206.02(c)(1).
(July 1, 1980, D.C. Law 3-77, § 47, 27 DCR 2503; Apr. 22, 1982, D.C. Law 4-102, § 2, 29 DCR 1179.)
1981 Ed., § 36-345.
Law 4-102, the "District of Columbia Workers' Compensation Act of 1979 Amendments Act of 1982," was introduced in Council and assigned Bill No. 4-314, which was referred to the Committee on Housing and Economic Development. The Bill was adopted on first and second readings on February 9, 1982, and February 23, 1982, respectively. Signed by the Mayor on February 26, 1982, it was assigned Act No. 4-161 and transmitted to both Houses of Congress for its review.
The "District of Columbia Workers' Compensation Act Emergency Amendment Act of 1982," referred to near the beginning of this section, is D.C. Act 4-160. Act 4-160 expired on May 26, 1982. Consequently, this chapter took effect on July 24, 1982.