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March 2020 Notices     Go back to Notices
29 Revised Form – Settlement Worksheet (H-28R Revised 03/29/2020) - This form is revised and available as a fillable PDF form on our Forms and Instructions page. The form has been revised to clarify the required information that must be completed for review and approval of the settlement. All questions must be answered. Any incomplete or missing information will cause the Settlement Worksheet to be returned and the approval of the settlement will be delayed. The Commission does not accept form filing via email/attachment or fax. Please begin using the new form immediately.
26 Update:  In concert with Governor Hogan’s recent Executive Orders and Chief Judge Barbera’s Emergency Administrative Order of March 25, 2020, the Commission is canceling all dockets that were previously scheduled through May 1. Our offices will remain closed to the public through that date, as well, but a very limited group of staff will continue working onsite. The remainder of our team will be working from home.
The cases that are postponed will be reset on a priority basis beginning May 4, 2020, upon return to normal operations. It is our intention to set morning and afternoon dockets when the Commission resumes regular hearings. Due consideration will be given all circumstances regarding whether the claims are ready to be held.

Emergency hearings will be scheduled as needed in the interim. EHR forms must be filed, but preferably with the WCC electronic filing system (WFMS). Commissioners will continue to review these requests and those approved will be set in the coming weeks.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation during these unprecedented times.
25 Due to the recent outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), the Commission Meeting scheduled for Thursday, March 26, 2020 has been cancelled. Please check our PUBLIC INFORMATION, OPEN MEETINGS, PUBLICATIONS & REPORTS page for information regarding the status of future meetings.
23 Administrative Guidance - WCC - Vocational rehabilitation services - In accordance with Governor Larry Hogan’s Executive Order, Number 20-03-23-01 (link: https://governor.maryland.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Gatherings-THIRD-AMENDED-3.23.20.pdf), and the Interpretative Guidance from the Governor’s Office of Legal Counsel, number COVID-19-04 (link), WCC interprets the order and guidance as follows: Vocational Rehabilitation Services, as defined under Md. Code, Lab. & Empl. Article § 9-607(e), are exempt from the amended order closing all non-essential businesses.  For all other businesses, see the Interpretive Guidance.
16 Through Friday, April 3, the Commission will continue to open mail and process it as expeditiously as possible with minimal on-site staffing. Settlements should continue to be mailed, which will be the only method of delivery. However, note that no telephone calls will be made for missing information/documents in the settlement paperwork. The documents will simply be returned with the order identifying what is missing. We ask that you be extra careful during this time to eliminate unnecessary delays and processing. Subpoenas must also be mailed for stamping and will be returned by mail.

We will be scheduling two dockets on Monday, 3/23 in Baltimore City and in Beltsville. They will consist of previously approved emergency hearings that were set between March 16 and April 3, 2020. Commission staff will be calling the parties to arrange these dockets. The cases will be staggered with specific times when the parties should arrive. We ask that you do not arrive early and that you depart as soon as the hearing has been conducted to minimize personal contact.

If there is an exigent circumstance and an emergency hearing request needs to be filed, please use the WCC electronic filing system (WFMS). Commissioners will continue to review these requests and we will set dockets for those approved for emergency hearings in the coming weeks.

We appreciate your patience and cooperation during these difficult times.
14
Effective immediately - All claims scheduled to be heard between March 16 and April 3, 2020 are postponed. Commission operations shall continue to the extent possible but Commission offices are closed to the public.
12 In response to Governor Hogan’s Executive Order regarding the COVID-19 actions, the Maryland Workers’ Compensation Commission announces for ALL locations:

1. Public access is strictly limited to claimants, attorneys, parties, and witnesses to hearings scheduled on that particular day. State employees and authorized contractors are permitted in accordance with their work schedules.
2. All hearings will be held in their scheduled locations and times, in spite of the statewide closure of public schools.
3. Requests for continuance, by any party, will be routinely GRANTED in light of the exigent circumstances. Please exercise extreme courtesy in providing as much notice as possible to the Commission and all parties.
4. Social distancing will be required and highlighted for everyone visiting the Commission offices. Your cooperation and assistance in this regard will be appreciated.
5. Hand washing facilities in the bathrooms are available and mandated for use prior to entering the hearing rooms.
6. Electronic services continue to be available for all Commission business, as well as help by telephone.

If attorneys, claimants, witnesses, or anyone else is sick or not feeling well, STAY HOME; do not come to the Commission. Continuances (as previously indicated) will be granted and reset as quickly as possible.
  Practitioners – In light of the current situation with the Corona virus (Covid-19), please try to avoid coming in to the Commission offices to file documents. As we are trying to limit the amount of person to person contact, we would appreciate our stakeholders filing documents via the Commission’s online services or US Postal Service. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation during this time.