Opinion ID: 1508622
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: goff's appeal

Text: [¶ 8] Goff contends that it was error for the Board to allow an offset of benefits in the amount of severance pay. We agree. In the absence of a Board decision establishing liability for the 1994 injury, or an acceptance by the employer of that injury, the issue of a setoff must be governed by the law in effect at the time of Goff's 1981 injury. We find no statutory authority in the 1981 law permitting an employer to offset severance pay against its obligation to pay workers' compensation benefits. [3] The rights of employers and employees pursuant to the Workers Compensation Act are uniquely statutory, and we decline to interpret the Act to provide a setoff of workers' compensation benefits in the absence of express statutory language authorizing a setoff. See e.g., American Mutual Ins. Cos. v. Murray, 420 A.2d 251, 252 (Me.1980) (employer not entitled to recover overpayments during unsuccessful appeal by employee); Page v. General Elec. Co., 391 A.2d 303, 307-09 (Me. 1978) (no offset for unemployment benefits in the absence of express statutory language). Accordingly, we vacate that portion of the Board's decision permitting the employer to exercise an offset for severance pay. The entry is: The decision of the Workers' Compensation Board affirmed in part, and vacated in part. Remanded to the Workers' Compensation Board for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.