NOBA Blog

Recent News & Events

Update on Workers' Compensation: New Laws Affecting Workers' Compensation Practice

Posted on: Sep 27, 2022
Featured Image

The Louisiana legislature passed new laws directly and potentially indirectly affecting the workers’ compensation practice.  Below is a listing of those laws.

Bill No.

Legislator

Date Effective

Act#

 

HB93

Frieman

8/1/22

435

Continuances – RS 23:1310.5.1.  Requires the court to grant all joint or unopposed continuances of mediations, hearings, or trials.

HB119

Carpenter

 

102

Recreates the LWC

HB239

Frieman

8/1/2022

451

Stays - RS 23:1310.5.1.  Requires the court to grant all joint or unopposed stays.  Abandonment provisions in LAC 40:1.5705(A) don’t apply to cases while they are stayed.

HB988

Landry

8/1/2022

651

Prohibits negative employment consequences based solely on a positive drug test for state employees treated with medical marijuana.  Excludes EMS, law enforcement, public safety officials, firefighters, and employees of the horse racing commission. RS 49:1016

SB107

Luneau

 

500

Recreates the LWC

HB124

Muscarello

8/1/22

372

Allows the court to conduct court by “any audio-visual means”.  If witnesses will be called, parties may request in person proceeding.  Trial can be held this way with the consent of all parties.  CCP 195.1

HB164

Pressly

8/1/2022

115

Fax filing procedures & proof when court has no record.  RS 13:850

HB184

Miller

8/1/22

38

Recusal of judges.  7 day time to recuse. If denied, written reasons required.  CCP 154(B), CCP 4862, CCP158(C).

HB264

Sealbaugh

8/1/22

455

When an additional defendant is named, service of the Original Petition with the Supplemental/Amended Petition shall be served on the new defendant.  CCP 1201(C)

HB389

Pressly

8/1/2022

469

Suspension of prescription and peremption in state emergency disasters.  CCP 3461 and 3472.1

If the governor declares a state emergency or disaster per R.S. 29:721 through 775, LA Supreme Court may issue orders suspending or extending deadlines in legal proceedings including abandonment.  CCP 196.2

SB214

Luneau

8/1/22

504

Requires out of state adjusters who adjusted LA claims to come to LA for trial.  Adjuster can be deposed by phone or video but deposition is not admissible at trial other than for impeachment or if adjuster is dead or incapacitated. CCP 1435

 

Written on Behalf of the Workers' Compensation Committee