Title: 

APD 011895

Significant Decision

Date: 

September 20, 2001

Issues: 

SIBS-9th & Subsequent Quarters

Table of Contents

APD 011895

This appeal arises pursuant to the Texas Workers’ Compensation Act, TEX. LAB. CODE ANN. § 401.001 et seq. (1989 Act). A contested case hearing was held on July 18, 2001. With respect to the issue before him, the hearing officer determined that the appellant (claimant) is not entitled to supplemental income benefits (SIBs) for the 14th quarter. In his appeal, the claimant essentially argues that the hearing officer’s determinations that he did not make a good faith effort to look for work commensurate with his ability to work, that his unemployment is not a direct result of his impairment, and that he is not entitled to SIBs for the 14th quarter are against the great weight of the evidence. In its response to the claimant’s appeal, the respondent (self-insured) urges affirmance.

DECISION

Reversed and remanded.

This case is remanded for the purpose of obtaining compliance with HB2600, which amended Section 410.164, effective June 17, 2001. Section 410.164 was amended by the addition of subsection (c), which provides as follows:

At each [hearing], as applicable, the insurance carrier shall file with the hearing officer and shall deliver to the claimant a single document stating the true corporate name of the insurance carrier and the name and address of the insurance carrier’s registered agent for service of process. The document is part of the record of the [hearing].

In this case, an address is provided for the registered agent; however, the name of the registered agent was not provided and, as such, service of process cannot be effectuated. Therefore, we remand so that the name of its registered agent for service of process may be provided by the self-insured in order to carry out the purpose of the legislation.

Pending resolution of the remand, a final decision has not been made in this case. However, since reversal and remand necessitate the issuance of a new decision and order by the hearing officer, a party who wishes to appeal from such new decision must file a request for review not later than 15 days after the date on which such new decision is received from the Texas Workers’ Compensation Commission’s Division of Hearings, pursuant to Section 410.202, which was amended June 17, 2001, to exclude Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays listed in the Texas Government Code in the computation of the 15-day appeal and response periods.

Elaine M. Chaney – Appeals Judge

CONCUR:

Gary L. Kilgore – Appeals Judge

Robert W. Potts – Appeals Judge