THE MASSACHUSETTS
DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS
WILL RESUME
LIMITED IN-PERSON HEARINGS
BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 28, 2020
The Massachusetts Department of Industrial Accidents has announced that they will resume limited in-person hearings effective September 28, 2020.
There will be 3 courtrooms open per day in the Boston Regional Office, and 2 courtrooms open per day in Fall River, Lawrence, Springfield, and Worcester Regional Offices. There will be 1 morning session and 1 afternoon session in each courtroom with thorough cleaning in between.
The DIA has issued Administrative Bulletin #6 which outlines guidelines that must be followed:
- All persons entering the DIA must wear a mask or cloth face covering, which must cover both the nose and the mouth.
- Visitors should have their own masks, as the DIA will only provide masks if supply allows.
- Persons who have either tested positive or have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 in the preceding 14 days will be prohibited from entering the DIA office.
- Persons who have been placed under quarantine in the preceding 14 days by a medical doctor or licensed healthcare provider will be prohibited from entering the DIA office.
- Persons who have traveled to a high-risk area in the last 14 days will be prohibited from entering the DIA office. Further information regarding the travel order can be reviewed by going to the following website https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-travel-order.
- Persons who exhibit any COVID-19 symptoms will be prohibited from entering the DIA office.
Upon entering the respective DIA office, all persons shall comply with the following:
- Wear a mask or cloth face covering that covers the person’s mouth and nose at all times.
- All persons giving testimony during a hearing will be provided with a clear face mask that has been individually wrapped and provided at the time of testimony. (Accommodations will be made if a person needs to give testimony virtually)
- Members of the Massachusetts Bar shall present their bar cards and check in with the DIA reception desk and be directed to the appropriate courtroom.
- All other visitors shall check in with the security officer and undergo a security screening and then proceed to the DIA reception desk and be directed to the appropriate courtroom.
- All persons are requested to engage in physical distancing by standing 6 feet apart.
- All persons are requested to refrain from rooms marked as “CLOSED”.
- All persons must exit the DIA at the completion of their proceeding.
- All persons are encouraged to engage in hand washing or sanitizing.
- All persons are encouraged to bring their own writing utensils and paper.
** Conciliations, Conferences, Lump Sum Conferences, Section 15 Petitions, OEVR Mandatory and Team Meetings and Stop Work Order Hearings will continue to be conducted via phone conference, WebEx, or other similar virtual platform until further notice. **
The full text of the Administrative Bulletin may be found here.
With respect to the Massachusetts bill mentioned in an earlier alert that was filed to extend workers’ benefits to first responders and other related medical personnel, the House reporting date has been extended to September 10, 2020, pending concurrence.
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The full text of the bill can be found here.
WE ARE FULLY PREPARED TO REVIEW
OR DISCUSS ANY ISSUES INVOLVING
WORKERS’ COMPENSATION
DURING THIS CRISIS.
FEEL FREE TO CONTACT US VIA
TELEPHONE, CELL PHONE OR EMAIL.