Opinion ID: 537072
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Historical Practice Under the Act

Text: 14 Although the plain language of the Longshore Act alone substantiates a claimant's right to an ALJ hearing on a new claim, the evolution of the statute's adjudicatory provisions also underscores the importance of an ALJ hearing on all contested questions relating to a claim. Since its original enactment in 1927, the Longshore Act has consistently required a hearing on any claim if requested by a party. For forty-five years that hearing was conducted by a deputy commissioner, the same official that processed claims, gathered evidence, and informally decided claims. Even under the 1927 Act, however, the deputy commissioner lacked authority to resolve a claim without a hearing on the record, if any party requested a hearing. An award made without notice and a hearing could be attacked and set aside as without validity. Crowell v. Benson, 285 U.S. 22, 47-48, 52 S.Ct. 285, 291, 76 L.Ed. 598 (1932). 15 In 1972 Congress transferred the hearing powers of deputy commissioners to hearing examiners, which are now ALJs. Pub.L. No. 92-576, 86 Stat. 1251, 1261, Sec. 14 (Oct. 27, 1972). The sole purpose of this transfer was to separate the administrative and adjudicative functions. H.R.Rep. No. 92-1441, 92d Cong., 2d Sess. (1972), reprinted in 1972 U.S.Code Cong. & Admin.News 4698, 4708. But this transfer of the power to hold hearings, effectuated by amending section 19(d) of the Act, did not alter the language of section 19(c) requiring the deputy commissioner to order a hearing upon application of any interested party. See 33 U.S.C. Sec. 919(c) and (d) (1982). While the presiding official changed from a deputy commissioner to an ALJ, the right to a hearing remained. 16 The 1972 amendments also changed the first level reviewing body from the district court to the newly created Benefits Review Board. Again, however, the amendments did not change the standard of review. Thus, neither the original statute nor the present one has ever authorized the type of procedure ordered by the Board in this case. 17 In sum, the statute can only be read as requiring that all black lung claims, including subsequent claims, be processed and adjudicated via the same three-tier administrative review process, beginning with a deputy commissioner and proceeding in turn to an ALJ and then to the Board. No statutory basis exists for permitting a complete bypassing of an ALJ hearing or immediate review by the Board of a deputy commissioner's determination on any type of claim. 18