34:15-98 Final report of accident.

34:15-98. Final report of accident. Not more than 26 weeks after an insurance carrier, third party administrator, self-insured employer or statutory non-insured employer learns that an employee has recovered so as to be able to resume work or has reached maximum medical improvement prior to resumption of work, the insurance carrier, third party administrator, self-insured employer or statutory non-insured employer shall prepare a final report, and take the steps necessary to have it copied to the employee. The report shall be transmitted to the Division of Workers' Compensation through the Compensation Rating and Inspection Bureau in the manner prescribed in R.S.34:15-96. This report shall be fully prepared before presentation to the employee. It shall be unlawful to present any injured employee with a blank report to be later filled out and filed with the Compensation Rating and Inspection Bureau.

If the employee disagrees with the report, the employee may forward written objections directly to the Division of Workers' Compensation with a copy to the insurance carrier, third party administrator, self-insured employer or statutory non-insured employer, if applicable. Any resultant change to the final report shall be filed by the insurance carrier, third party administrator, self-insured employer or statutory non-insured employer with the Division of Workers' Compensation through the Compensation Rating and Inspection Bureau in the manner prescribed in R.S.34:15-96.

The report shall be retained by the insurance carrier, third party administrator, self-insured employer or statutory non-insured employer for 10 years. Any written objections forwarded by an employee to the Division of Workers' Compensation pursuant to this section shall be retained by the division for 10 years.

The Compensation Rating and Inspection Bureau shall insure that information received pursuant to this section shall be readily available to the Division of Workers' Compensation or any person authorized by the Commissioner of Labor pursuant to R.S.34:15-99.

Amended 2001, c.326, s.2.