Introduced Version






HOUSE BILL No. 1050

_____


DIGEST OF INTRODUCED BILL



Citations Affected: IC 16-39-1-10 ; IC 22-3.

Synopsis: Worker's compensation. Increases the compensation benefits per degree of permanent impairment for worker's compensation and occupational disease over a three year period. Provides increases in the worker's compensation and occupational disease average weekly wage. Increases the worker's compensation death benefit. Creates disabled from trade compensation. Creates the occupational disease second injury fund. Provides a five percent increase in the amount of a worker's compensation award against an employer that denied compensability. Provides for employee medical records privacy. Prohibits an employer or insurance carrier from transferring an employee from a treating medical service provider to another medical service provider without the employee's consent. Restricts employer and insurance representatives from being present at an employee medical examination unless the employee consents. Repeals the exclusions for an employee receiving worker's compensation.


Effective: July 1, 2000.





Liggett




    January 10, 2000, read first time and referred to Committee on Labor and Employment.







Introduced

Second Regular Session 111th General Assembly (2000)


PRINTING CODE. Amendments: Whenever an existing statute (or a section of the Indiana Constitution) is being amended, the text of the existing provision will appear in this style type, additions will appear in this style type, and deletions will appear in this style type.
Additions: Whenever a new statutory provision is being enacted (or a new constitutional provision adopted), the text of the new provision will appear in this style type. Also, the word NEW will appear in that style type in the introductory clause of each SECTION that adds a new provision to the Indiana Code or the Indiana Constitution.
Conflict reconciliation: Text in a statute in this style type or this style type reconciles conflicts between statutes enacted by the 1999 General Assembly.

HOUSE BILL No. 1050



    A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning labor and industrial safety.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana:

SOURCE: IC 16-39-1-10; (00)IN1050.1.1. -->     SECTION 1. IC 16-39-1-10 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE AS A NEW SECTION TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2000]: Sec. 10. In addition to the provisions of this article relating to the privacy of medical records in general, the provisions of IC 22-3-5.5 apply to the privacy of an employee's medical records in worker's compensation cases.
SOURCE: IC 22-3-3-4; (00)IN1050.1.2. -->     SECTION 2. IC 22-3-3-4 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2000]: Sec. 4. (a) After an injury and prior to an adjudication of permanent impairment, the employer shall furnish or cause to be furnished, free of charge to the employee, an attending physician for the treatment of his injuries, and in addition thereto such surgical, hospital and nursing services and supplies as the attending physician or the worker's compensation board may deem necessary. If the employee is requested or required by the employer to submit to treatment outside the county of employment, the employer shall also pay the reasonable expense of travel, food, and lodging necessary during the travel, but not to exceed the amount paid at the time of the

travel by the state to its employees under the state travel policies and procedures established by the department of administration and approved by the state budget agency.
    (b) During the period of temporary total disability resulting from the injury, the employer shall furnish the physician services, and supplies, and the worker's compensation board may, on proper application of either party, require that treatment by the physician and services and supplies be furnished by or on behalf of the employer as the worker's compensation board may deem reasonably necessary.
    (c) No representative of the employer or insurance carrier, including case managers or rehabilitation nurses, may be present at any treatment of an injured employee without the express written consent of the employee and the treating medical personnel. At the time of any medical treatment that a representative of the employer wishes to attend, the representative of the employer shall inform the injured employee and treating medical personnel that their written consent is required before the attendance of the employer's representative. The employee's compensation and benefits may not be jeopardized in any way due to the employer's failure or refusal to complete a written waiver allowing the attendance of the employer's representative. The employer's representative may not in any way cause the employee to believe that the employee's compensation and benefits will be terminated if the employee fails or refuses to complete a written waiver allowing the attendance of the employer's representative. The written waivers shall be executed on forms prescribed by the board.
     (d) After an employee's injury has been adjudicated by agreement or award on the basis of permanent partial impairment and within the statutory period for review in such case as provided in section 27 of this chapter, the employer may continue to furnish a physician or surgeon and other medical services and supplies, and the worker's compensation board may within the statutory period for review as provided in section 27 of this chapter, on a proper application of either party, require that treatment by that physician and other medical services and supplies be furnished by and on behalf of the employer as the worker's compensation board may deem necessary to limit or reduce the amount and extent of the employee's impairment. The refusal of the employee to accept such services and supplies, when provided by or on behalf of the employer, shall bar the employee from all compensation otherwise payable during the period of the refusal, and his right to prosecute any proceeding under IC 22-3-2 through

IC 22-3-6 shall be suspended and abated until the employee's refusal ceases. The employee must be served with a notice setting forth the consequences of the refusal under this section. The notice must be in a form prescribed by the worker's compensation board. No compensation for permanent total impairment, permanent partial impairment, permanent disfigurement, or death shall be paid or payable for that part or portion of the impairment, disfigurement, or death which is the result of the failure of the employee to accept the treatment, services, and supplies required under this section. However, an employer may at any time permit an employee to have treatment for his injuries by spiritual means or prayer in lieu of the physician or surgeon and other medical services and supplies required under this section.
    (d) (e) If, because of an emergency, or because of the employer's failure to provide an attending physician or surgical, hospital, or nursing services and supplies, or treatment by spiritual means or prayer, as required by this section, or because of any other good reason, a physician other than that provided by the employer treats the injured employee during the period of the employee's temporary total disability, or necessary and proper surgical, hospital, or nursing services and supplies are procured within the period, the reasonable cost of those services and supplies shall, subject to the approval of the worker's compensation board, be paid by the employer.
    (e) (f) Regardless of when it occurs, where a compensable injury results in the amputation of a body part, the enucleation of an eye, or the loss of natural teeth, the employer shall furnish an appropriate artificial member, braces, and prosthodontics. The cost of repairs to or replacements for the artificial members, braces, or prosthodontics that result from a compensable injury pursuant to a prior award and are required due to either medical necessity or normal wear and tear, determined according to the employee's individual use, but not abuse, of the artificial member, braces, or prosthodontics, shall be paid from the second injury fund upon order or award of the worker's compensation board. The employee is not required to meet any other requirement for admission to the second injury fund.
    (f) (g) If an accident arising out of and in the course of employment after June 30, 1997, results in the loss of or damage to an artificial member, a brace, an implant, eyeglasses, prosthodontics, or other medically prescribed device, the employer shall repair the artificial member, brace, implant, eyeglasses, prosthodontics, or other medically prescribed device or furnish an identical or a reasonably equivalent replacement.


    (g) (h)This section may not be construed to prohibit an agreement between an employer and the employer's employees that has the approval of the board and that binds the parties to:
        (1) medical care furnished by health care providers selected by agreement before or after injury; or
        (2) the findings of a health care provider who was chosen by agreement.
     (i) After medical treatment has commenced, neither the employer nor the insurance carrier is entitled to transfer or otherwise redirect treatment to other treating medical personnel, except in an emergency situation, unless the employee requests the transfer or redirected treatment, the treating medical personnel requests discontinuance of providing treatment, or there is other good cause. If the employer or insurance carrier wishes to transfer treatment for good cause, a transfer may not be permitted unless and until the board issues an order granting the request. The request shall be made on forms prescribed by the board.
SOURCE: IC 22-3-3-6; (00)IN1050.1.3. -->     SECTION 3. IC 22-3-3-6 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2000]: Sec. 6. (a) After an injury and during the period of claimed resulting disability or impairment, the employee, if so requested by the employee's employer or ordered by the industrial board, shall submit to an examination at reasonable times and places by a duly qualified physician or surgeon designated and paid by the employer or by order of the worker's compensation board. The employee shall have the right to have present at any such examination any duly qualified physician or surgeon provided and paid for by the employee. No fact communicated to, or otherwise learned by, any physician or surgeon who may have attended or examined the employee, or who may have been present at any examination, shall be privileged, either in the hearings provided for in IC 22-3-2 through IC 22-3-6 , or in any action at law brought to recover damages against any employer who is subject to the compensation provisions of IC 22-3-2 through IC 22-3-6. If the employee refuses to submit to or in any way obstructs such examinations, the employee's right to compensation and his right to take or prosecute any proceedings under IC 22-3-2 through IC 22-3-6 shall be suspended until such refusal or obstruction ceases. No compensation shall at any time be payable for the period of suspension unless in the opinion of the worker's compensation board the circumstances justified the refusal or obstruction. The employee must be served with a notice setting forth the consequences of the refusal under this subsection. The notice must be in a form prescribed by the board.
    (b) Any employer requesting an examination of any employee residing within Indiana shall pay, in advance of the time fixed for the examination, sufficient money to defray the necessary expenses of travel by the most convenient means to and from the place of examination, and the cost of meals and lodging necessary during the travel. If the method of travel is by automobile, the mileage rate to be paid by the employer shall be the rate currently being paid by the state to its employees under the state travel policies and procedures established by the department of administration and approved by the budget agency. If such examination or travel to or from the place of examination causes any loss of working time on the part of the employee, the employer shall reimburse the employee for such loss of wages upon the basis of the employee's average daily wage. When any employee injured in Indiana moves outside Indiana, the travel expense and the cost of meals and lodging necessary during the travel payable under this section shall be paid from the point in Indiana nearest to the employee's then residence to the place of examination. No travel and other expense shall be paid for any travel and other expense required outside Indiana.
    (c) A duly qualified physician or surgeon provided and paid for by the employee may be present at an examination if the employee so desires. In all cases where the examination is made by a physician or surgeon engaged by the employer and the injured employee has no physician or surgeon present at such examination, it shall be the duty of the physician or surgeon making the examination to deliver to the injured employee, or the employee's representative, a statement in writing of the conditions evidenced by such examination. The statement shall disclose all facts that are reported by such physician or surgeon to the employer. Such statement shall be furnished to the employee or the employee's representative, as soon as practicable, but not later than thirty (30) days before the time the case is set for hearing. The statement may be submitted by either party as evidence by that physician or surgeon at a hearing before the worker's compensation board if the statement meets the requirements of subsection (e) (f). If such physician or surgeon fails or refuses to furnish the employee or the employee's representative with such statement thirty (30) days before the hearing, then the statement may not be submitted as evidence, and such physician or surgeon shall not be permitted to testify before the worker's compensation board as to any facts learned in such examination. All of the requirements of this subsection apply to all subsequent examinations requested by the employer.
     (d) No representative of the employer or insurance carrier,

including case managers or rehabilitation nurses, may be present at any examination of an injured employee without the express written consent of the employee and the treating medical personnel. At the time of any medical examination that a representative of the employer wishes to attend, the representative of the employer shall inform the injured employee and treating medical personnel that their written consent is required before the attendance of the employer's representative. The employee's compensation and benefits may not be jeopardized in any way due to the employer's failure or refusal to complete a written waiver allowing the attendance of the employer's representative. The employer's representative may not in any way cause the employee to believe that the employee's compensation and benefits will be terminated if the employee fails or refuses to complete a written waiver allowing the attendance of the employer's representative. The written waivers shall be executed on forms prescribed by the board.
    (d) (e) In all cases where an examination of an employee is made by a physician or surgeon engaged by the employee, and the employer has no physician or surgeon present at such examination, it shall be the duty of the physician or surgeon making the examination to deliver to the employer or the employer's representative a statement in writing of the conditions evidenced by such examination. The statement shall disclose all facts that are reported by such physician or surgeon to the employee. Such statement shall be furnished to the employer or the employer's representative as soon as practicable, but not later than thirty (30) days before the time the case is set for hearing. The statement may be submitted by either party as evidence by that physician or surgeon at a hearing before the worker's compensation board if the statement meets the requirements of subsection (e) (f). If such physician or surgeon fails or refuses to furnish the employer, or the employer's representative, with such statement thirty (30) days before the hearing, then the statement may not be submitted as evidence, and such physician or surgeon shall not be permitted to testify before the industrial board as to any facts learned in such examination. All of the requirements of this subsection apply to all subsequent examinations made by a physician or surgeon engaged by the employee.
    (e) (f) All statements of physicians or surgeons required by this section, whether those engaged by employee or employer, shall contain the following information:
        (1) The history of the injury, or claimed injury, as given by the

patient.
        (2) The diagnosis of the physician or surgeon concerning the patient's physical or mental condition.
        (3) The opinion of the physician or surgeon concerning the causal relationship, if any, between the injury and the patient's physical or mental condition, including the physician's or surgeon's reasons for the opinion.
        (4) The opinion of the physician or surgeon concerning whether the injury or claimed injury resulted in a disability or impairment and, if so, the opinion of the physician or surgeon concerning the extent of the disability or impairment and the reasons for the opinion.
        (5) The original signature of the physician or surgeon.
Notwithstanding any hearsay objection, the worker's compensation board shall admit into evidence a statement that meets the requirements of this subsection unless the statement is ruled inadmissible on other grounds.
    (f) (g) Delivery of any statement required by this section may be made to the attorney or agent of the employer or employee and such action shall be construed as delivery to the employer or employee.
    (g) (h) Any party may object to a statement on the basis that the statement does not meet the requirements of subsection (e) (f). The objecting party must give written notice to the party providing the statement and specify the basis for the objection. Notice of the objection must be given no later than twenty (20) days before the hearing. Failure to object as provided in this subsection precludes any further objection as to the adequacy of the statement under subsection (e) (f).
    (h) (i) The employer upon proper application, or the worker's compensation board, shall have the right in any case of death to require an autopsy at the expense of the party requesting the same. If, after a hearing, the worker's compensation board orders an autopsy and such autopsy is refused by the surviving spouse or next of kin, then any claim for compensation on account of such death shall be suspended and abated during such refusal. The surviving spouse or dependent must be served with a notice setting forth the consequences of the refusal under this subsection. The notice must be in a form prescribed by the worker's compensation board. No autopsy, except one performed by or on the authority or order of the coroner in the discharge of the coroner's duties, shall be held in any case by any person, without notice first being given to the surviving spouse or next of kin, if they reside in Indiana or their whereabouts can reasonably be ascertained, of the time

and place thereof, and reasonable time and opportunity given such surviving spouse or next of kin to have a representative or representatives present to witness same. However, if such notice is not given, all evidence obtained by such autopsy shall be suppressed on motion duly made to the worker's compensation board.

SOURCE: IC 22-3-3-7; (00)IN1050.1.4. -->     SECTION 4. IC 22-3-3-7 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2000]: Sec. 7. (a) Compensation shall be allowed on account of injuries producing only temporary total disability to work or temporary partial disability to work beginning with the eighth (8th) day of such disability except for medical benefits provided in section 4 of the chapter. Compensation shall be allowed for the first seven (7) calendar days only if the disability continues for longer than twenty-one (21) days.
    (b) The first weekly installment of compensation for temporary disability is due fourteen (14) days after the disability begins. Not later than fifteen (15) days from the date that the first installment of compensation is due, the employer or the employer's insurance carrier shall tender to the employee or to the employee's dependents, with all compensation due, a properly prepared compensation agreement in a form prescribed by the board. Whenever an employer or the employer's insurance carrier denies or is not able to determine liability to pay compensation or benefits, the employer or the employer's insurance carrier shall notify the worker's compensation board and the employee in writing on a form prescribed by the worker's compensation board not later than thirty (30) days after the employer's knowledge of the claimed injury. If a determination of liability cannot be made within thirty (30) days, the worker's compensation board may approve an additional thirty (30) days upon a written request of the employer or the employer's insurance carrier that sets forth the reasons that the determination could not be made within thirty (30) days and states the facts or circumstances that are necessary to determine liability within the additional thirty (30) days. More than thirty (30) days of additional time may be approved by the worker's compensation board upon the filing of a petition by the employer or the employer's insurance carrier that sets forth:
        (1) the extraordinary circumstances that have precluded a determination of liability within the initial sixty (60) days;
        (2) the status of the investigation on the date the petition is filed;
        (3) the facts or circumstances that are necessary to make a determination; and
        (4) a timetable for the completion of the remaining investigation.
An employer who fails to comply with this section is subject to a civil

penalty of fifty dollars ($50), to be assessed and collected by the board upon notice and hearing. Civil penalties collected under this section shall be deposited in the state general fund.
    (c) Once begun, temporary total disability benefits may not be terminated by the employer unless:
        (1) the employee has returned to any employment;
        (2) the employee has died;
        (3) the employee has refused to undergo a medical examination under section 6 of this chapter or has refused to accept suitable employment under section 11 of this chapter;
        (4) the employee has received five hundred (500) weeks of temporary total disability benefits or has been paid the maximum compensation allowed under section 22 of this chapter; or
        (5) the employee is unable or unavailable to work for reasons unrelated to the compensable injury; or
        (6) the employee returns to work with limitations or restrictions and the employer converts temporary total disability benefits into disabled from trade compensation under section 33 of this chapter.

In all other cases the employer must notify the employee in writing of the employer's intent to terminate the payment of temporary total disability benefits and of the availability of employment, if any, on a form approved by the board. If the employee disagrees with the proposed termination, the employee must give written notice of disagreement to the board and the employer within seven (7) days after receipt of the notice of intent to terminate benefits. If the board and employer do not receive a notice of disagreement under this section, the employee's temporary total disability benefits shall be terminated. Upon receipt of the notice of disagreement, the board shall immediately contact the parties, which may be by telephone or other means, and attempt to resolve the disagreement. If the board is unable to resolve the disagreement within ten (10) days of receipt of the notice of disagreement, the board shall immediately arrange for an evaluation of the employee by an independent medical examiner. The independent medical examiner shall be selected by mutual agreement of the parties or, if the parties are unable to agree, appointed by the board under IC 22-3-4-11. If the independent medical examiner determines that the employee is no longer temporarily disabled or is still temporarily disabled but can return to employment that the employer has made available to the employee, or if the employee fails or refuses to appear for examination by the independent medical examiner, temporary total disability benefits may be terminated. If either party disagrees with the

opinion of the independent medical examiner, the party shall apply to the board for a hearing under IC 22-3-4-5.
    (d) An employer is not required to continue the payment of temporary total disability benefits for more than fourteen (14) days after the employer's proposed termination date unless the independent medical examiner determines that the employee is temporarily disabled and unable to return to any employment that the employer has made available to the employee.
    (e) If it is determined that as a result of this section temporary total disability benefits were overpaid, the overpayment shall be deducted from any benefits due the employee under section 10 of this chapter and, if there are no benefits due the employee or the benefits due the employee do not equal the amount of the overpayment, the employee shall be responsible for paying any overpayment which cannot be deducted from benefits due the employee.

SOURCE: IC 22-3-3-10; (00)IN1050.1.5. -->     SECTION 5. IC 22-3-3-10 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2000]: Sec. 10. (a) With respect to injuries in the following schedule occurring prior to April 1, 1951, the employee shall receive in addition to temporary total disability benefits not exceeding twenty-six (26) weeks on account of the injuries, a weekly compensation of fifty-five percent (55%) of the employee's average weekly wages. With respect to injuries in the following schedule occurring on and after April 1, 1951, and prior to July 1, 1971, the employee shall receive in addition to temporary total disability benefits not exceeding twenty-six (26) weeks on account of the injuries, a weekly compensation of sixty percent (60%) of the employee's average weekly wages. With respect to injuries in the following schedule occurring on and after July 1, 1971, and before July 1, 1977, the employee shall receive in addition to temporary total disability benefits not exceeding twenty-six (26) weeks on account of the injuries, a weekly compensation of sixty percent (60%) of the employee's average weekly wages not to exceed one hundred dollars ($100) average weekly wages, for the periods stated for the injuries. With respect to injuries in the following schedule occurring on and after July 1, 1977, and before July 1, 1979, the employee shall receive, in addition to temporary total disability benefits not exceeding twenty-six (26) weeks on account of the injury, a weekly compensation of sixty percent (60%) of his average weekly wages, not to exceed one hundred twenty-five dollars ($125) average weekly wages, for the period stated for the injury. With respect to injuries in the following schedule occurring on and after July 1, 1979, and before July 1, 1988, the employee shall receive, in addition to temporary total disability

benefits not to exceed fifty-two (52) weeks on account of the injury, a weekly compensation of sixty percent (60%) of the employee's average weekly wages, not to exceed one hundred twenty-five dollars ($125) average weekly wages, for the period stated for the injury. With respect to injuries in the following schedule occurring on and after July 1, 1988, and before July 1, 1989, the employee shall receive, in addition to temporary total disability benefits not exceeding seventy-eight (78) weeks on account of the injury, a weekly compensation of sixty percent (60%) of the employee's average weekly wages, not to exceed one hundred sixty-six dollars ($166) average weekly wages, for the period stated for the injury.
    With respect to injuries in the following schedule occurring on and after July 1, 1989, and before July 1, 1990, the employee shall receive, in addition to temporary total disability benefits not exceeding seventy-eight (78) weeks on account of the injury, a weekly compensation of sixty percent (60%) of the employee's average weekly wages, not to exceed one hundred eighty-three dollars ($183) average weekly wages, for the period stated for the injury.
    With respect to injuries in the following schedule occurring on and after July 1, 1990, and before July 1, 1991, the employee shall receive, in addition to temporary total disability benefits not exceeding seventy-eight (78) weeks on account of the injury, a weekly compensation of sixty percent (60%) of the employee's average weekly wages, not to exceed two hundred dollars ($200) average weekly wages, for the period stated for the injury.
        (1) Amputation: For the loss by separation of the thumb, sixty (60) weeks, of the index finger forty (40) weeks, of the second finger thirty-five (35) weeks, of the third or ring finger thirty (30) weeks, of the fourth or little finger twenty (20) weeks, of the hand by separation below the elbow joint two hundred (200) weeks, or the arm above the elbow two hundred fifty (250) weeks, of the big toe sixty (60) weeks, of the second toe thirty (30) weeks, of the third toe twenty (20) weeks, of the fourth toe fifteen (15) weeks, of the fifth or little toe ten (10) weeks, and for loss occurring before April 1, 1959, by separation of the foot below the knee joint one hundred fifty (150) weeks and of the leg above the knee joint two hundred (200) weeks; for loss occurring on and after April 1, 1959, by separation of the foot below the knee joint, one hundred seventy-five (175) weeks and of the leg above the knee joint two hundred twenty-five (225) weeks. The loss of more than one (1) phalange of a thumb or toes shall be considered as the loss of the entire thumb or toe. The loss of more than two (2)

phalanges of a finger shall be considered as the loss of the entire finger. The loss of not more than one (1) phalange of a thumb or toe shall be considered as the loss of one-half (1/2) of the thumb or toe and compensation shall be paid for one-half (1/2) of the period for the loss of the entire thumb or toe. The loss of not more than one (1) phalange of a finger shall be considered as the loss of one-third (1/3) of the finger and compensation shall be paid for one-third (1/3) the period for the loss of the entire finger. The loss of more than one (1) phalange of the finger but not more than two (2) phalanges of the finger, shall be considered as the loss of one-half (1/2) of the finger and compensation shall be paid for one-half (1/2) of the period for the loss of the entire finger.
        (2) For the loss by separation of both hands or both feet or the total sight of both eyes, or any two (2) such losses in the same accident, five hundred (500) weeks.
        (3) For the permanent and complete loss of vision by enucleation or its reduction to one-tenth (1/10) of normal vision with glasses, one hundred seventy-five (175) weeks.
        (4) For the permanent and complete loss of hearing in one (1) ear, seventy-five (75) weeks, and in both ears, two hundred (200) weeks.
        (5) For the loss of one (1) testicle, fifty (50) weeks; for the loss of both testicles, one hundred fifty (150) weeks.
    (b) With respect to injuries in the following schedule occurring prior to April 1, 1951, the employee shall receive in lieu of all other compensation on account of the injuries, a weekly compensation of fifty-five percent (55%) of the employee's average weekly wages. With respect to injuries in the following schedule occurring on and after April 1, 1951, and prior to April 1, 1955, the employee shall receive in lieu of all other compensation on account of the injuries a weekly compensation of sixty percent (60%) of the employee's average weekly wages. With respect to injuries in the following schedule occurring on and after April 1, 1955, and prior to July 1, 1971, the employee shall receive in addition to temporary total disability benefits not exceeding twenty-six (26) weeks on account of the injuries, a weekly compensation of sixty percent (60%) of the employee's average weekly wages. With respect to injuries in the following schedule occurring on and after July 1, 1971, and before July 1, 1977, the employee shall receive in addition to temporary total disability benefits not exceeding twenty-six (26) weeks on account of the injuries, a weekly compensation of sixty percent (60%) of the employee's average weekly wages, not to exceed one hundred dollars ($100) average weekly

wages, for the period stated for such injuries respectively. With respect to injuries in the following schedule occurring on and after July 1, 1977, and before July 1, 1979, the employee shall receive, in addition to temporary total disability benefits not exceeding twenty-six (26) weeks on account of the injury, a weekly compensation of sixty percent (60%) of the employee's average weekly wages not to exceed one hundred twenty-five dollars ($125) average weekly wages, for the period stated for the injury. With respect to injuries in the following schedule occurring on and after July 1, 1979, and before July 1, 1988, the employee shall receive, in addition to temporary total disability benefits not exceeding fifty-two (52) weeks on account of the injury, a weekly compensation of sixty percent (60%) of the employee's average weekly wages not to exceed one hundred twenty-five dollars ($125) average weekly wages for the period stated for the injury. With respect to injuries in the following schedule occurring on and after July 1, 1988, and before July 1, 1989, the employee shall receive, in addition to temporary total disability benefits not exceeding seventy-eight (78) weeks on account of the injury, a weekly compensation of sixty percent (60%) of the employee's average weekly wages, not to exceed one hundred sixty-six dollars ($166) average weekly wages, for the period stated for the injury.
    With respect to injuries in the following schedule occurring on and after July 1, 1989, and before July 1, 1990, the employee shall receive, in addition to temporary total disability benefits not exceeding seventy-eight (78) weeks on account of the injury, a weekly compensation of sixty percent (60%) of the employee's average weekly wages, not to exceed one hundred eighty-three dollars ($183) average weekly wages, for the period stated for the injury.
    With respect to injuries in the following schedule occurring on and after July 1, 1990, and before July 1, 1991, the employee shall receive, in addition to temporary total disability benefits not exceeding seventy-eight (78) weeks on account of the injury, a weekly compensation of sixty percent (60%) of the employee's average weekly wages, not to exceed two hundred dollars ($200) average weekly wages, for the period stated for the injury.
        (1) Loss of use: The total permanent loss of the use of an arm, hand, thumb, finger, leg, foot, toe, or phalange shall be considered as the equivalent of the loss by separation of the arm, hand, thumb, finger, leg, foot, toe, or phalange, and compensation shall be paid for the same period as for the loss thereof by separation.
        (2) Partial loss of use: For the permanent partial loss of the use of an arm, hand, thumb, finger, leg, foot, toe, or phalange,

compensation shall be paid for the proportionate loss of the use of such arm, hand, thumb, finger, leg, foot, toe, or phalange.
        (3) For injuries resulting in total permanent disability, five hundred (500) weeks.
        (4) For any permanent reduction of the sight of an eye less than a total loss as specified in subsection (a)(3), compensation shall be paid for a period proportionate to the degree of such permanent reduction without correction or glasses. However, when such permanent reduction without correction or glasses would result in one hundred percent (100%) loss of vision, but correction or glasses would result in restoration of vision, then in such event compensation shall be paid for fifty percent (50%) of such total loss of vision without glasses, plus an additional amount equal to the proportionate amount of such reduction with glasses, not to exceed an additional fifty percent (50%).
        (5) For any permanent reduction of the hearing of one (1) or both ears, less than the total loss as specified in subsection (a)(4), compensation shall be paid for a period proportional to the degree of such permanent reduction.
        (6) In all other cases of permanent partial impairment, compensation proportionate to the degree of such permanent partial impairment, in the discretion of the worker's compensation board, not exceeding five hundred (500) weeks.
        (7) In all cases of permanent disfigurement which may impair the future usefulness or opportunities of the employee, compensation, in the discretion of the worker's compensation board, not exceeding two hundred (200) weeks, except that no compensation shall be payable under this subdivision where compensation is payable elsewhere in this section.
    (c) With respect to injuries in the following schedule occurring on and after July 1, 1991, the employee shall receive in addition to temporary total disability benefits, not exceeding one hundred twenty-five (125) weeks on account of the injury, compensation in an amount determined under the following schedule to be paid weekly at a rate of sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the employee's average weekly wages during the fifty-two (52) weeks immediately preceding the week in which the injury occurred.
        (1) Amputation: For the loss by separation of the thumb, twelve (12) degrees of permanent impairment; of the index finger, eight (8) degrees of permanent impairment; of the second finger, seven (7) degrees of permanent impairment; of the third or ring finger, six (6) degrees of permanent impairment; of the fourth or little

finger, four (4) degrees of permanent impairment; of the hand by separation below the elbow joint, forty (40) degrees of permanent impairment; of the arm above the elbow, fifty (50) degrees of permanent impairment; of the big toe, twelve (12) degrees of permanent impairment; of the second toe, six (6) degrees of permanent impairment; of the third toe, four (4) degrees of permanent impairment; of the fourth toe, three (3) degrees of permanent impairment; of the fifth or little toe, two (2) degrees of permanent impairment; by separation of the foot below the knee joint, thirty-five (35) degrees of permanent impairment; and of the leg above the knee joint, forty-five (45) degrees of permanent impairment.
        (2) Amputations: For the loss by separation of any of the body parts described in subdivision (1) on or after July 1, 1997, and for the loss by separation of any of the body parts described in subdivision (3), (5), or (8), on or after July 1, 1999, the dollar values per degree applying on the date of the injury as described in subsection (d) shall be multiplied by two (2). However, the doubling provision of this subdivision does not apply to a loss of use that is not a loss by separation.
        (3) The loss of more than one (1) phalange of a thumb or toe shall be considered as the loss of the entire thumb or toe. The loss of more than two (2) phalanges of a finger shall be considered as the loss of the entire finger. The loss of not more than one (1) phalange of a thumb or toe shall be considered as the loss of one-half (1/2) of the degrees of permanent impairment for the loss of the entire thumb or toe. The loss of not more than one (1) phalange of a finger shall be considered as the loss of one-third (1/3) of the finger and compensation shall be paid for one-third (1/3) of the degrees payable for the loss of the entire finger. The loss of more than one (1) phalange of the finger but not more than two (2) phalanges of the finger shall be considered as the loss of one-half (1/2) of the finger and compensation shall be paid for one-half (1/2) of the degrees payable for the loss of the entire finger.
        (4) For the loss by separation of both hands or both feet or the total sight of both eyes or any two (2) such losses in the same accident, one hundred (100) degrees of permanent impairment.
        (5) For the permanent and complete loss of vision by enucleation, thirty-five (35) degrees of permanent impairment.
        (6) For the reduction of vision to one-tenth (1/10) of normal vision with glasses, thirty-five (35) degrees of permanent

impairment.
        (7) For the permanent and complete loss of hearing in one (1) ear, fifteen (15) degrees of permanent impairment, and in both ears, forty (40) degrees of permanent impairment.
        (8) For the loss of one (1) testicle, ten (10) degrees of permanent impairment; for the loss of both testicles, thirty (30) degrees of permanent impairment.
        (9) Loss of use: The total permanent loss of the use of an arm, a hand, a thumb, a finger, a leg, a foot, a toe, or a phalange shall be considered as the equivalent of the loss by separation of the arm, hand, thumb, finger, leg, foot, toe, or phalange, and compensation shall be paid in the same amount as for the loss by separation. However, the doubling provision of subdivision (2) does not apply to a loss of use that is not a loss by separation.
        (10) Partial loss of use: For the permanent partial loss of the use of an arm, a hand, a thumb, a finger, a leg, a foot, a toe, or a phalange, compensation shall be paid for the proportionate loss of the use of the arm, hand, thumb, finger, leg, foot, toe, or phalange.
        (11) For injuries resulting in total permanent disability, the amount payable for impairment or five hundred (500) weeks of compensation, whichever is greater.
        (12) For any permanent reduction of the sight of an eye less than a total loss as specified in subsection (a)(3), the compensation shall be paid in an amount proportionate to the degree of a permanent reduction without correction or glasses. However, when a permanent reduction without correction or glasses would result in one hundred percent (100%) loss of vision, then compensation shall be paid for fifty percent (50%) of the total loss of vision without glasses, plus an additional amount equal to the proportionate amount of the reduction with glasses, not to exceed an additional fifty percent (50%).
        (13) For any permanent reduction of the hearing of one (1) or both ears, less than the total loss as specified in subsection (a)(4), compensation shall be paid in an amount proportionate to the degree of a permanent reduction.
        (14) In all other cases of permanent partial impairment, compensation proportionate to the degree of a permanent partial impairment, in the discretion of the worker's compensation board, not exceeding one hundred (100) degrees of permanent impairment.
        (15) In all cases of permanent disfigurement which may impair the future usefulness or opportunities of the employee,

compensation, in the discretion of the worker's compensation board, not exceeding forty (40) degrees of permanent impairment except that no compensation shall be payable under this subdivision where compensation is payable elsewhere in this section.
    (d) Compensation for permanent partial impairment shall be paid according to the degree of permanent impairment for the injury determined under subsection (c) and the following:
        (1) With respect to injuries occurring on and after July 1, 1991, and before July 1, 1992, for each degree of permanent impairment from one (1) to thirty-five (35), five hundred dollars ($500) per degree; for each degree of permanent impairment from thirty-six (36) to fifty (50), nine hundred dollars ($900) per degree; for each degree of permanent impairment above fifty (50), one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500) per degree.
        (2) With respect to injuries occurring on and after July 1, 1992, and before July 1, 1993, for each degree of permanent impairment from one (1) to twenty (20), five hundred dollars ($500) per degree; for each degree of permanent impairment from twenty-one (21) to thirty-five (35), eight hundred dollars ($800) per degree; for each degree of permanent impairment from thirty-six (36) to fifty (50), one thousand three hundred dollars ($1,300) per degree; for each degree of permanent impairment above fifty (50), one thousand seven hundred dollars ($1,700) per degree.
        (3) With respect to injuries occurring on and after July 1, 1993, and before July 1, 1997, for each degree of permanent impairment from one (1) to ten (10), five hundred dollars ($500) per degree; for each degree of permanent impairment from eleven (11) to twenty (20), seven hundred dollars ($700) per degree; for each degree of permanent impairment from twenty-one (21) to thirty-five (35), one thousand dollars ($1,000) per degree; for each degree of permanent impairment from thirty-six (36) to fifty (50), one thousand four hundred dollars ($1,400) per degree; for each degree of permanent impairment above fifty (50), one thousand seven hundred dollars ($1,700) per degree.
        (4) With respect to injuries occurring on and after July 1, 1997, and before July 1, 1998, for each degree of permanent impairment from one (1) to ten (10), seven hundred fifty dollars ($750) per degree; for each degree of permanent impairment from eleven (11) to thirty-five (35), one thousand dollars ($1,000) per degree; for each degree of permanent impairment from thirty-six (36) to

fifty (50), one thousand four hundred dollars ($1,400) per degree; for each degree of permanent impairment above fifty (50), one thousand seven hundred dollars ($1,700) per degree.
        (5) With respect to injuries occurring on and after July 1, 1998, and before July 1, 1999, for each degree of permanent impairment from one (1) to ten (10), seven hundred fifty dollars ($750) per degree; for each degree of permanent impairment from eleven (11) to thirty-five (35), one thousand dollars ($1,000) per degree; for each degree of permanent impairment from thirty-six (36) to fifty (50), one thousand four hundred dollars ($1,400) per degree; for each degree of permanent impairment above fifty (50), one thousand seven hundred dollars ($1,700) per degree.
        (6) With respect to injuries occurring on and after July 1, 1999, and before July 1, 2000, for each degree of permanent impairment from one (1) to ten (10), nine hundred dollars ($900) per degree; for each degree of permanent impairment from eleven (11) to thirty-five (35), one thousand one hundred dollars ($1,100) per degree; for each degree of permanent impairment from thirty-six (36) to fifty (50), one thousand six hundred dollars ($1,600) per degree; for each degree of permanent impairment above fifty (50), two thousand dollars ($2,000) per degree.
         (7) With respect to injuries occurring on and after July 1, 2000, and before July 1, 2001, for each degree of permanent impairment from one (1) to ten (10), two thousand fifty dollars ($2,050) per degree; for each degree of permanent impairment from eleven (11) to thirty-five (35), two thousand seven hundred dollars ($2,700) per degree; for each degree of permanent impairment from thirty-six (36) to fifty (50), three thousand three hundred dollars ($3,300) per degree; for each degree of permanent impairment above fifty (50), three thousand nine hundred dollars ($3,900) per degree.
         (8) With respect to injuries occurring on and after July 1, 2001, and before July 1, 2002, for each degree of permanent impairment from one (1) to ten (10), two thousand four hundred dollars ($2,400) per degree; for each degree of permanent impairment from eleven (11) to thirty-five (35), three thousand seventy-five dollars ($3,075) per degree; for each degree of permanent impairment from thirty-six (36) to fifty (50), three thousand seven hundred seventy-five dollars ($3,775) per degree; for each degree of permanent impairment above fifty (50), four thousand five hundred twenty-five dollars ($4,525) per degree.


         (9) With respect to injuries occurring on and after July 1, 2002, for each degree of permanent impairment from one (1) to ten (10), two thousand seven hundred forty-seven dollars ($2,747) per degree; for each degree of permanent impairment from eleven (11) to thirty-five (35), three thousand four hundred thirty-three dollars ($3,433) per degree; for each degree of permanent impairment from thirty-six (36) to fifty (50), four thousand two hundred ninety-two dollars ($4,292) per degree; for each degree of permanent impairment above fifty (50), five thousand three hundred sixty-five dollars ($5,365) per degree.
    (e) The average weekly wages used in the determination of compensation for permanent partial impairment under subsections (c) and (d) shall not exceed the following:
        (1) With respect to injuries occurring on or after July 1, 1991, and before July 1, 1992, four hundred ninety-two dollars ($492).
        (2) With respect to injuries occurring on or after July 1, 1992, and before July 1, 1993, five hundred forty dollars ($540).
        (3) With respect to injuries occurring on or after July 1, 1993, and before July 1, 1994, five hundred ninety-one dollars ($591).
        (4) With respect to injuries occurring on or after July 1, 1994, and before July 1, 1997, six hundred forty-two dollars ($642).
        (5) With respect to injuries occurring on or after July 1, 1997, and before July 1, 1998, six hundred seventy-two dollars ($672).
        (6) With respect to injuries occurring on or after July 1, 1998, and before July 1, 1999, seven hundred two dollars ($702).
        (7) With respect to injuries occurring on or after July 1, 1999, and before July 1, 2000, seven hundred thirty-two dollars ($732).
        (8) With respect to injuries occurring on or after July 1, 2000, and before July 1, 2001, seven hundred sixty-two dollars ($762).
        (9) With respect to injuries occurring on or after July 1, 2001, and before July 1, 2002, eight hundred thirty-eight dollars ($838).
        (10) With respect to injuries occurring on or after July 1, 2002, nine hundred fourteen dollars ($914).

SOURCE: IC 22-3-3-17; (00)IN1050.1.6. -->     SECTION 6. IC 22-3-3-17 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2000]: Sec. 17. On and after April 1, 1965, and prior to April 1, 1969, when death results from an injury within four hundred fifty (450) weeks, there shall be paid to total dependent of said deceased, as determined by IC 22-3-3-18 , 19 and 20, a weekly compensation amounting to sixty percent (60%) of the deceased's average weekly wage, until compensation so paid, when

added to any compensation paid to deceased employee, shall equal four hundred fifty (450) weeks, and to partial dependents as hereinafter provided.
    On and after April 1, 1969, and prior to July 1, 1971, when death results from an injury within five hundred (500) weeks, there shall be paid to the total dependents of said deceased, as determined by the provisions of IC 22-3-3-18 , 19 and 20, weekly compensation amounting to sixty percent (60%) of the deceased's average weekly wage, until the compensation so paid, when added to any compensation paid to the deceased employee, shall equal five hundred (500) weeks, and to partial dependents as hereinafter provided.
    On and after July 1, 1971, and prior to July 1, 1974, when death results from an injury within five hundred (500) weeks, there shall be paid to the total dependents of said deceased, as determined by the provisions of IC 22-3-3-18 , 19, and 20, weekly compensation amounting to sixty percent (60%) of the deceased's average weekly wage, not to exceed one hundred dollars ($100) average weekly wages, until the compensation so paid, when added to any compensation paid to the deceased employee, shall equal five hundred (500) weeks, and to partial dependents as hereinafter provided.
    On and after July 1, 1974, and before July 1, 1976, when death results from an injury within five hundred (500) weeks, there shall be paid the total dependents of the deceased, as determined by the provisions of sections 18, 19, and 20 of this chapter, weekly compensation amounting to sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the deceased's average weekly wage, not to exceed a maximum of one hundred thirty-five dollars ($135) average weekly wages, until the compensation so paid, when added to any compensation paid to the deceased employee, shall equal five hundred (500) weeks, and to partial dependents as hereinafter provided. On and after July 1, 1976, when death results from an injury within five hundred (500) weeks, there shall be paid the total dependents of the deceased as determined by sections 18, 19, and 20 of this chapter, weekly compensation amounting to sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) one hundred percent (100%) of the deceased's average weekly wage, as defined by IC 22-3-3-22 , until the compensation paid, when added to the compensation paid to the deceased employee, equals five hundred (500) weeks, and to partial dependents, as provided in sections 18 and 20 of this chapter.

SOURCE: IC 22-3-3-22; (00)IN1050.1.7. -->     SECTION 7. IC 22-3-3-22 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2000]: Sec. 22. (a) In computing the compensation under this law with respect to injuries occurring on

and after April 1, 1963, and prior to April 1, 1965, the average weekly wages shall be considered to be not more than seventy dollars ($70) nor less than thirty dollars ($30). In computing the compensation under this law with respect to injuries occurring on and after April 1, 1965, and prior to April 1, 1967, the average weekly wages shall be considered to be not more than seventy-five dollars ($75) and not less than thirty dollars ($30). In computing the compensation under this law with respect to injuries occurring on and after April 1, 1967, and prior to April 1, 1969, the average weekly wages shall be considered to be not more than eighty-five dollars ($85) and not less than thirty-five dollars ($35). In computing the compensation under this law with respect to injuries occurring on and after April 1, 1969, and prior to July 1, 1971, the average weekly wages shall be considered to be not more than ninety-five dollars ($95) and not less than thirty-five dollars ($35). In computing the compensation under this law with respect to injuries occurring on and after July 1, 1971, and prior to July 1, 1974, the average weekly wages shall be considered to be: (A) Not more than: (1) one hundred dollars ($100) if no dependents; (2) one hundred five dollars ($105) if one (1) dependent; (3) one hundred ten dollars ($110) if two (2) dependents; (4) one hundred fifteen dollars ($115) if three (3) dependents; (5) one hundred twenty dollars ($120) if four (4) dependents; and (6) one hundred twenty-five dollars ($125) if five (5) or more dependents; and (B) Not less than thirty-five dollars ($35). In computing compensation for temporary total disability, temporary partial disability, and total permanent disability under this law with respect to injuries occurring on and after July 1, 1974, and before July 1, 1976, the average weekly wages shall be considered to be (A) not more than one hundred thirty-five dollars ($135), and (B) not less than seventy-five dollars ($75). However, the weekly compensation payable shall in no case exceed the average weekly wages of the employee at the time of the injury. In computing compensation for temporary total disability, temporary partial disability and total permanent disability under this law with respect to injuries occurring on and after July 1, 1976, and before July 1, 1977, the average weekly wages shall be considered to be (1) not more than one hundred fifty-six dollars ($156) and (2) not less than seventy-five dollars ($75). However, the weekly compensation payable shall not exceed the average weekly wages of the employee at the time of the injury. In computing compensation for temporary total disability, temporary partial disability, and total permanent disability, with respect to injuries occurring on and after July 1, 1977, and before July 1, 1979, the average weekly wages are considered to be (1) not more than one hundred eighty dollars ($180);

and (2) not less than seventy-five dollars ($75). However, the weekly compensation payable may not exceed the average weekly wages of the employee at the time of the injury. In computing compensation for temporary total disability, temporary partial disability, and total permanent disability, with respect to injuries occurring on and after July 1, 1979, and before July 1, 1980, the average weekly wages are considered to be (1) not more than one hundred ninety-five dollars ($195), and (2) not less than seventy-five dollars ($75). However, the weekly compensation payable shall not exceed the average weekly wages of the employee at the time of the injury. In computing compensation for temporary total disability, temporary partial disability, and total permanent disability, with respect to injuries occurring on and after July 1, 1980, and before July 1, 1983, the average weekly wages are considered to be (1) not more than two hundred ten dollars ($210), and (2) not less than seventy-five dollars ($75). However, the weekly compensation payable shall not exceed the average weekly wages of the employee at the time of the injury. In computing compensation for temporary total disability, temporary partial disability, and total permanent disability, with respect to injuries occurring on and after July 1, 1983, and before July 1, 1984, the average weekly wages are considered to be (1) not more than two hundred thirty-four dollars ($234) and (2) not less than seventy-five dollars ($75). However, the weekly compensation payable shall not exceed the average weekly wages of the employee at the time of the injury. In computing compensation for temporary total disability, temporary partial disability, and total permanent disability, with respect to injuries occurring on and after July 1, 1984, and before July 1, 1985, the average weekly wages are considered to be (1) not more than two hundred forty-nine dollars ($249) and (2) not less than seventy-five dollars ($75). However, the weekly compensation payable shall not exceed the average weekly wages of the employee at the time of the injury. In computing compensation for temporary total disability, temporary partial disability, and total permanent disability, with respect to injuries occurring on and after July 1, 1985, and before July 1, 1986, the average weekly wages are considered to be (1) not more than two hundred sixty-seven dollars ($267) and (2) not less than seventy-five dollars ($75). However, the weekly compensation payable shall not exceed the average weekly wages of the employee at the time of the injury. In computing compensation for temporary total disability, temporary partial disability, and total permanent disability, with respect to injuries occurring on and after July 1, 1986, and before July 1, 1988, the average weekly wages are considered to be (1) not more than two

hundred eighty-five dollars ($285) and (2) not less than seventy-five dollars ($75). However, the weekly compensation payable shall not exceed the average weekly wages of the employee at the time of the injury. In computing compensation for temporary total disability, temporary partial disability, and total permanent disability, with respect to injuries occurring on and after July 1, 1988, and before July 1, 1989, the average weekly wages are considered to be (1) not more than three hundred eighty-four dollars ($384) and (2) not less than seventy-five dollars ($75). However, the weekly compensation payable shall not exceed the average weekly wages of the employee at the time of the injury.
    In computing compensation for temporary total disability, temporary partial disability, and total permanent disability, with respect to injuries occurring on and after July 1, 1989, and before July 1, 1990, the average weekly wages are considered to be (1) not more than four hundred eleven dollars ($411) and (2) not less than seventy-five dollars ($75). However, the weekly compensation payable shall not exceed the average weekly wages of the employee at the time of the injury.
    In computing compensation for temporary total disability, temporary partial disability, and total permanent disability, with respect to injuries occurring on and after July 1, 1990, and before July 1, 1991, the average weekly wages are considered to be (1) not more than four hundred forty-one dollars ($441) and (2) not less than seventy-five dollars ($75). However, the weekly compensation payable shall not exceed the average weekly wages of the employee at the time of the injury.
    In computing compensation for temporary total disability, temporary partial disability, and total permanent disability, with respect to injuries occurring on and after July 1, 1991, and before July 1, 1992, the average weekly wages are considered to be (1) not more than four hundred ninety-two dollars ($492) and (2) not less than seventy-five dollars ($75). However, the weekly compensation payable shall not exceed the average weekly wages of the employee at the time of the injury.
    In computing compensation for temporary total disability, temporary partial disability, and total permanent disability, with respect to injuries occurring on and after July 1, 1992, and before July 1, 1993, the average weekly wages are considered to be (1) not more than five hundred forty dollars ($540) and (2) not less than seventy-five dollars ($75). However, the weekly compensation payable shall not exceed the average weekly wages of the employee at the time of the injury.
    In computing compensation for temporary total disability, temporary

partial disability, and total permanent disability, with respect to injuries occurring on and after July 1, 1993, and before July 1, 1994, the average weekly wages are considered to be (1) not more than five hundred ninety-one dollars ($591) and (2) not less than seventy-five dollars ($75). However, the weekly compensation payable shall not exceed the average weekly wages of the employee at the time of the injury.
    In computing compensation for temporary total disability, temporary partial disability, and total permanent disability, with respect to injuries occurring on and after July 1, 1994, and before July 1, 1997, the average weekly wages are considered to be (1) not more than six hundred forty-two dollars ($642) and (2) not less than seventy-five dollars ($75). However, the weekly compensation payable shall not exceed the average weekly wages of the employee at the time of the injury.
    (b) In computing compensation for temporary total disability, temporary partial disability, and total permanent disability, the average weekly wages are considered to be:
        (1) with respect to injuries occurring on and after July 1, 1997, and before July 1, 1998:
            (A) not more than six hundred seventy-two dollars ($672); and
            (B) not less than seventy-five dollars ($75);
        (2) with respect to injuries occurring on and after July 1, 1998, and before July 1, 1999:
            (A) not more than seven hundred two dollars ($702); and
            (B) not less than seventy-five dollars ($75);
        (3) with respect to injuries occurring on and after July 1, 1999, and before July 1, 2000:
            (A) not more than seven hundred thirty-two dollars ($732); and
            (B) not less than seventy-five dollars ($75); and
        (4) with respect to injuries occurring on and after July 1, 2000, and before July 1, 2001:
            (A) not more than seven hundred sixty-two dollars ($762); and
            (B) not less than seventy-five dollars ($75);
         (5) with respect to injuries occurring on and after July 1, 2001, and before July 1, 2002:
            (A) not more than eight hundred thirty-eight dollars ($838); and
            (B) not less than seventy-five dollars ($75); and

         (6) with respect to injuries occurring on and after July 1, 2002:


            (A) not more than nine hundred fourteen dollars ($914); and
            (B) not less than seventy-five dollars ($75).

However, the weekly compensation payable shall not exceed the average weekly wages of the employee at the time of the injury.
    (c) For the purpose of this section only and with respect to injuries occurring on and after July 1, 1971, and prior to July 1, 1974, only, the term "dependent" as used in this section shall mean persons defined as presumptive dependents under section 19 of this chapter, except that such dependency shall be determined as of the date of the injury to the employee.
    (d) With respect to any injury occurring on and after April 1, 1955, and prior to April 1, 1957, the maximum compensation exclusive of medical benefits, which shall be paid for an injury under any provisions of this law or under any combination of its provisions shall not exceed twelve thousand five hundred dollars ($12,500) in any case. With respect to any injury occurring on and after April 1, 1957 and prior to April 1, 1963, the maximum compensation exclusive of medical benefits, which shall be paid for an injury under any provision of this law or under any combination of its provisions shall not exceed fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000) in any case. With respect to any injury occurring on and after April 1, 1963, and prior to April 1, 1965, the maximum compensation exclusive of medical benefits, which shall be paid for an injury under any provision of this law or under any combination of its provisions shall not exceed sixteen thousand five hundred dollars ($16,500) in any case. With respect to any injury occurring on and after April 1, 1965, and prior to April 1, 1967, the maximum compensation exclusive of medical benefits which shall be paid for any injury under any provision of this law or any combination of provisions shall not exceed twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) in any case. With respect to any injury occurring on and after April 1, 1967, and prior to July 1, 1971, the maximum compensation exclusive of medical benefits which shall be paid for an injury under any provision of this law or any combination of provisions shall not exceed twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) in any case. With respect to any injury occurring on and after July 1, 1971, and prior to July 1, 1974, the maximum compensation exclusive of medical benefits which shall be paid for any injury under any provision of this law or any combination of provisions shall not exceed thirty thousand dollars ($30,000) in any case. With respect to any injury occurring on and after July 1, 1974, and before July 1, 1976, the maximum compensation exclusive of medical benefits which shall be paid for an injury under any provision

of this law or any combination of provisions shall not exceed forty-five thousand dollars ($45,000) in any case. With respect to an injury occurring on and after July 1, 1976, and before July 1, 1977, the maximum compensation, exclusive of medical benefits, which shall be paid for any injury under any provision of this law or any combination of provisions shall not exceed fifty-two thousand dollars ($52,000) in any case. With respect to any injury occurring on and after July 1, 1977, and before July 1, 1979, the maximum compensation, exclusive of medical benefits, which may be paid for an injury under any provision of this law or any combination of provisions may not exceed sixty thousand dollars ($60,000) in any case. With respect to any injury occurring on and after July 1, 1979, and before July 1, 1980, the maximum compensation, exclusive of medical benefits, which may be paid for an injury under any provisions of this law or any combination of provisions may not exceed sixty-five thousand dollars ($65,000) in any case. With respect to any injury occurring on and after July 1, 1980, and before July 1, 1983, the maximum compensation, exclusive of medical benefits, which may be paid for an injury under any provisions of this law or any combination of provisions may not exceed seventy thousand dollars ($70,000) in any case. With respect to any injury occurring on and after July 1, 1983, and before July 1, 1984, the maximum compensation, exclusive of medical benefits, which may be paid for an injury under any provisions of this law or any combination of provisions may not exceed seventy-eight thousand dollars ($78,000) in any case. With respect to any injury occurring on and after July 1, 1984, and before July 1, 1985, the maximum compensation, exclusive of medical benefits, which may be paid for an injury under any provisions of this law or any combination of provisions may not exceed eighty-three thousand dollars ($83,000) in any case. With respect to any injury occurring on and after July 1, 1985, and before July 1, 1986, the maximum compensation, exclusive of medical benefits, which may be paid for an injury under any provisions of this law or any combination of provisions may not exceed eighty-nine thousand dollars ($89,000) in any case. With respect to any injury occurring on and after July 1, 1986, and before July 1, 1988, the maximum compensation, exclusive of medical benefits, which may be paid for an injury under any provisions of this law or any combination of provisions may not exceed ninety-five thousand dollars ($95,000) in any case. With respect to any injury occurring on and after July 1, 1988, and before July 1, 1989, the maximum compensation, exclusive of medical benefits, which may be paid for an injury under any provisions of this law or any combination of provisions may not exceed one hundred twenty-eight

thousand dollars ($128,000) in any case.
    With respect to any injury occurring on and after July 1, 1989, and before July 1, 1990, the maximum compensation, exclusive of medical benefits, which may be paid for an injury under any provisions of this law or any combination of provisions may not exceed one hundred thirty-seven thousand dollars ($137,000) in any case.
    With respect to any injury occurring on and after July 1, 1990, and before July 1, 1991, the maximum compensation, exclusive of medical benefits, which may be paid for an injury under any provisions of this law or any combination of provisions may not exceed one hundred forty-seven thousand dollars ($147,000) in any case.
    With respect to any injury occurring on and after July 1, 1991, and before July 1, 1992, the maximum compensation, exclusive of medical benefits, that may be paid for an injury under any provisions of this law or any combination of provisions may not exceed one hundred sixty-four thousand dollars ($164,000) in any case.
    With respect to any injury occurring on and after July 1, 1992, and before July 1, 1993, the maximum compensation, exclusive of medical benefits, that may be paid for an injury under any provisions of this law or any combination of provisions may not exceed one hundred eighty thousand dollars ($180,000) in any case.
    With respect to any injury occurring on and after July 1, 1993, and before July 1, 1994, the maximum compensation, exclusive of medical benefits, that may be paid for an injury under any provisions of this law or any combination of provisions may not exceed one hundred ninety-seven thousand dollars ($197,000) in any case.
    With respect to any injury occurring on and after July 1, 1994, and before July 1, 1997, the maximum compensation, exclusive of medical benefits, which may be paid for an injury under any provisions of this law or any combination of provisions may not exceed two hundred fourteen thousand dollars ($214,000) in any case.
    (e) The maximum compensation, exclusive of medical benefits, that may be paid for an injury under any provision of this law or any combination of provisions may not exceed the following amounts in any case:
        (1) With respect to an injury occurring on and after July 1, 1997, and before July 1, 1998, two hundred twenty-four thousand dollars ($224,000).
        (2) With respect to an injury occurring on and after July 1, 1998, and before July 1, 1999, two hundred thirty-four thousand dollars ($234,000).
        (3) With respect to an injury occurring on and after July 1, 1999,

and before July 1, 2000, two hundred forty-four thousand dollars ($244,000).
        (4) With respect to an injury occurring on and after July 1, 2000, and before July 1, 2001, two hundred fifty-four thousand dollars ($254,000).
         (5) With respect to an injury occurring on and after July 1, 2001, and before July 1, 2002, two hundred seventy-nine thousand three hundred five dollars ($279,305).
         (6) With respect to an injury occurring on and after July 1, 2002, three hundred four thousand six hundred thirty-six dollars ($304,636).

SOURCE: IC 22-3-3-33; (00)IN1050.1.8. -->     SECTION 8. IC 22-3-3-33 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE AS A NEW SECTION TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2000]: Sec. 33. (a) If an employee:
        (1) receives an injury that results in a temporary total disability or a permanent partial impairment;
        (2) is capable of performing work with limitations or restrictions that prevent the employee from returning to the position the employee held before the employee's injury; and
        (3) returns to work;
the employee may receive disabled from trade compensation.

     (b) An employee may receive disabled from trade compensation for a period not to exceed:
        (1) fifty-two (52) consecutive weeks; or
        (2) seventy-eight (78) aggregate weeks.

     (c) An employee is entitled to receive disabled from trade compensation in a weekly amount equal to STEP FOUR of the following formula:
        STEP ONE: Determine the employee's average weekly earnings from employment with limitations or restrictions that are entered after the employee's injury.
        STEP TWO: Determine the employee's average weekly earnings from employment before the employee's injury.
        STEP THREE: Determine the greater of:
            (A) the STEP TWO result minus the STEP ONE result; or
            (B) zero (0).
        STEP FOUR: Determine the lesser of:
            (A) the STEP THREE result; or
            (B) seven hundred sixty-two dollars ($762).
    (d) Not later than sixty (60) days after the employee's release to return to work with restrictions or limitations, the employee must receive notice from the employer on a form provided by the board

that informs the employee that the employee has been released to work with limitations or restrictions. The notice must include:
        (1) an explanation of the limitations or restrictions placed on the employee;
        (2) the amount of disabled from trade compensation the employee has been awarded; and
        (3) information for the employee regarding the terms of this section.
    (e) Disabled from trade compensation is in addition to any other compensation awarded to an employee as a result of a temporary total disability or a permanent partial impairment.
    (f) An employer may unilaterally convert an award of benefits for a temporary total disability or a permanent partial impairment into disabled from trade compensation by filing a copy of the notice required under subsection (d) with the board.

SOURCE: IC 22-3-4-8; (00)IN1050.1.9. -->     SECTION 9. IC 22-3-4-8 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2000]: Sec. 8. (a) An award of the board by less than all of the members as provided in section 6 of this chapter, if not reviewed as provided in section 7 of this chapter, shall be final and conclusive.
    (b) An award by the full board shall be conclusive and binding as to all questions of the fact, but either party to the dispute may, within thirty (30) days from the date of such award, appeal to the court of appeals for errors of law under the same terms and conditions as govern appeals in ordinary civil actions.
    (c) The board of its own motion may certify questions of law to said court of appeals for its decision and determination.
    (d) An assignment of errors that the award of the full board is contrary to law shall be sufficient to present both the sufficiency of the facts found to sustain the award and the sufficiency of the evidence to sustain the finding of facts.
    (e) All such appeals and certified questions of law shall be submitted upon the date filed in the court of appeals, shall be advanced upon the docket of said court, and shall be determined at the earliest practicable date, without any extensions of time for filing briefs.
    (f) An award of the full board affirmed on appeal, by the employer, shall be increased thereby five percent (5%), and by order of the court may be increased ten percent (10%).
     (g) An award of the board by a member or the full board against an employer that denies compensation:
        (1) is determined using the date the liability accrued; and
        (2) shall be increased by five percent (5%).

SOURCE: IC 22-3-5.5; (00)IN1050.1.10. -->     SECTION 10. IC 22-3-5.5 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE AS A NEW CHAPTER TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2000]:
    Chapter 5.5. Worker's Compensation: Medical Records Privacy
    Sec. 1. The provisions of this chapter apply in addition to the provisions relating to the privacy of medical records under IC 16-39.
    Sec. 2. (a) The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.

    (b) "Employee" means the:
        (1) individual covered by this article; or
        (2) individual's attorney or authorized union representative if the attorney or union representative has been given written authorization by the employee to act on the employee's behalf.
    (c) "Personal health information" or "medical records" means information about an employee that relates to the following:
        (1) The employee's health or health care history, including genetic information about the employee.
        (2) Provision of health care to the employee.
        (3) Payment for health care provided to the employee.
The term includes any identifying information that is collected in the course of the providing or paying for health care for the employee.

     (d) "Trustee" means:
        (1) a health care professional;
        (2) a health care facility;
        (3) a worker's compensation agency;
        (4) an employer (as defined in IC 22-3-6-1 (a)); or
        (5) a health services agency;
that collects or maintains personal health information.

     Sec. 3. Whenever an employee is represented by an attorney or authorized union representative, a notice or copy required to be provided to the employee under this chapter must also be provided to the employee's attorney or authorized union representative.
    Sec. 4. An employee has a right, on request, to examine and receive a copy of the employee's personal health information that is maintained by a trustee.
    Sec. 5. For purposes of accuracy or completeness, an employee may request, in writing, a correction of any personal health information that the employee believes is inaccurate.
    Sec. 6. (a) A trustee who fails to make a requested correction under section 5 of this chapter to an employee's personal health

information within thirty (30) days after receiving the request must:
        (1) notify the employee in writing; and
        (2) state one (1) or more reasons for the refusal.
    (b) An employee who receives a notification under subsection (a) may file a statement of disagreement that includes the following:
        (1) A description of the correction requested.
        (2) The reason for the correction.
    (c) Upon receiving a statement described in subsection (b), the trustee must add the statement to the employee's medical record.

     Sec. 7. (a) A trustee shall:
        (1) not collect, use, or disclose personal health information about an employee unless the information is for a lawful purpose connected with a function or activity of the trustee; and
        (2) collect, use, or disclose only as much personal health information about an employee as is reasonably necessary to accomplish the purpose for which the personal health information is collected, used, or disclosed.
    (b) Reasons for collecting, using, or disclosing an employee's personal health information include determinations of the following:
        (1) A diagnosis of the employee's condition.
        (2) Reasonable and necessary treatment for the employee's condition.
        (3) The amount of time that the employee will be out of work.
        (4) The relationship, if any, of the employee's condition to the employee's employment.
        (5) Any work related restrictions resulting from the employee's condition.
        (6) The kind of work for which the employee may be eligible.
        (7) The anticipated time that the employee will be restricted.
        (8) The permanent impairment, if any, resulting from the employee's condition.
    (c) Other personal health information may be collected, used, or disclosed by the trustee only if authorized by the employee or by the employee's legal representative in writing, provided that the purpose for which the additional information is being sought has been revealed to the employee or the employee's legal representative.

     Sec. 8. (a) A trustee may disclose personal health information without the consent of an employee only under the following

conditions:
        (1) The trustee reasonably believes that the disclosure is necessary to prevent or reduce a serious and immediate threat to:
            (A) the employee; or
            (B) public health or public safety.
        (2) To provide a billing review organization with information needed to undertake periodic reviews of claims processing and payments.
        (3) To assist in identifying a deceased employee.
        (4) To inform the representative or a relative of a deceased employee, or any other individual the trustee considers reasonable to inform under the circumstances, of the employee's death.
        (5) To conduct a peer review by health professionals.
        (6) The disclosure is required by law for law enforcement purposes.
    (b) A trustee may disclose information under subsection (a) only to the extent the recipient needs to know the information.
    (c) A trustee shall keep a record of all disclosures made under this section for five (5) years.

    Sec. 9. (a) A trustee may disclose an employee's personal health information without the employee's consent to research organizations conducting scientific, medical or public policy research.
    (b) A trustee shall keep, for five (5) years after disclosing an employee's personal health information under subsection (a), a record of the research organizations to which the trustee discloses protected personal health information.
    (c) A trustee shall not disclose protected personal health information to a research organization unless the research organization agrees not to disclose the protected personal health information to a third person.
    (d) A trustee shall disclose only the minimum data necessary to conduct the intended research.
    (e) The trustee shall disclose protected personal health information only when the information is necessary to conduct the research.

     Sec. 10. A research organization shall execute an agreement with the trustee that contains the following:
        (1) A provision that it is unreasonable or impractical for the:
            (A) person proposing the research; or


            (B) trustee;
        to obtain consent from an employee regarding the employee's personal health information.
        (2) A requirement that the research project contain the following:
            (A) Reasonable safeguards to protect the confidentiality and security of personal health information.
            (B) Procedures to destroy the information or remove all identifying information at the earliest opportunity consistent with the purposes of the project.
        (3) A provision that the personal health information requested will not be published in a form that could reasonably identify the employees concerned.
        (4) A provision that the personal health information requested will be used only for the purposes of an approved research project.
        (5) A provision that all individual identifiers will be removed before the publication or release of the research project.

     Sec. 11. (a) The penalties described in subsection (b) apply to a trustee or research organization that knowingly or intentionally:
        (1) obtains personal health information relating to an employee; or
        (2) discloses personal health information to another person;
in violation of this chapter.
    (b) Except as provided in subsections (c) and (d), a person described in subsection (a) may be assessed a civil penalty by the worker's compensation board of not more than fifty thousand dollars ($50,000).
    (c) If a violation of this chapter is knowingly or intentionally committed under false pretenses, the person committing the violation may be assessed a civil penalty by the worker's compensation board of not more than two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000).
    (d) If a violation of this chapter is knowingly or intentionally committed with the intent to sell, transfer, or use personal health information for commercial advantage, personal gain, or malicious harm, the person committing the violation may be assessed a civil penalty by the worker's compensation board of not more than five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000).
    (e) In the case of a person described in subsection (a), the civil penalties described in subsections (b) through (d) shall be doubled for every subsequent violation of this chapter.

SOURCE: IC 22-3-7-16; (00)IN1050.1.11. -->     SECTION 11. IC 22-3-7-16 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2000]: Sec. 16. (a) Compensation shall be allowed on account of disablement from occupational disease resulting in only temporary total disability to work or temporary partial disability to work beginning with the eighth day of such disability except for the medical benefits provided for in section 17 of this chapter. Compensation shall be allowed for the first seven (7) calendar days only as provided in this section. The first weekly installment of compensation for temporary disability is due fourteen (14) days after the disability begins. Not later than fifteen (15) days from the date that the first installment of compensation is due, the employer or the employer's insurance carrier shall tender to the employee or to the employee's dependents, with all compensation due, a properly prepared compensation agreement in a form prescribed by the board. Whenever an employer or the employer's insurance carrier denies or is not able to determine liability to pay compensation or benefits, the employer or the employer's insurance carrier shall notify the worker's compensation board and the employee in writing on a form prescribed by the worker's compensation board not later than thirty (30) days after the employer's knowledge of the claimed disablement. If a determination of liability cannot be made within thirty (30) days, the worker's compensation board may approve an additional thirty (30) days upon a written request of the employer or the employer's insurance carrier that sets forth the reasons that the determination could not be made within thirty (30) days and states the facts or circumstances that are necessary to determine liability within the additional thirty (30) days. More than thirty (30) days of additional time may be approved by the worker's compensation board upon the filing of a petition by the employer or the employer's insurance carrier that sets forth:
        (1) the extraordinary circumstances that have precluded a determination of liability within the initial sixty (60) days;
        (2) the status of the investigation on the date the petition is filed;
        (3) the facts or circumstances that are necessary to make a determination; and
        (4) a timetable for the completion of the remaining investigation.
An employer who fails to comply with this section is subject to a civil penalty of fifty dollars ($50), to be assessed and collected by the board upon notice and hearing. Civil penalties collected under this section shall be deposited in the state general fund.
    (b) Once begun, temporary total disability benefits may not be terminated by the employer unless:
        (1) the employee has returned to work;
        (2) the employee has died;
        (3) the employee has refused to undergo a medical examination under section 20 of this chapter;
        (4) the employee has received five hundred (500) weeks of temporary total disability benefits or has been paid the maximum compensation allowable under section 19 of this chapter; or
        (5) the employee is unable or unavailable to work for reasons unrelated to the compensable disease.
In all other cases the employer must notify the employee in writing of the employer's intent to terminate the payment of temporary total disability benefits, and of the availability of employment, if any, on a form approved by the board. If the employee disagrees with the proposed termination, the employee must give written notice of disagreement to the board and the employer within seven (7) days after receipt of the notice of intent to terminate benefits. If the board and employer do not receive a notice of disagreement under this section, the employee's temporary total disability benefits shall be terminated. Upon receipt of the notice of disagreement, the board shall immediately contact the parties, which may be by telephone or other means and attempt to resolve the disagreement. If the board is unable to resolve the disagreement within ten (10) days of receipt of the notice of disagreement, the board shall immediately arrange for an evaluation of the employee by an independent medical examiner. The independent medical examiner shall be selected by mutual agreement of the parties or, if the parties are unable to agree, appointed by the board under IC 22-3-4-11. If the independent medical examiner determines that the employee is no longer temporarily disabled or is still temporarily disabled but can return to employment that the employer has made available to the employee, or if the employee fails or refuses to appear for examination by the independent medical examiner, temporary total disability benefits may be terminated. If either party disagrees with the opinion of the independent medical examiner, the party shall apply to the board for a hearing under section 27 of this chapter.
    (c) An employer is not required to continue the payment of temporary total disability benefits for more than fourteen (14) days after the employer's proposed termination date unless the independent medical examiner determines that the employee is temporarily disabled and unable to return to any employment that the employer has made available to the employee.
    (d) If it is determined that as a result of this section temporary total disability benefits were overpaid, the overpayment shall be deducted from any benefits due the employee under this section and, if there are

no benefits due the employee or the benefits due the employee do not equal the amount of the overpayment, the employee shall be responsible for paying any overpayment which cannot be deducted from benefits due the employee.
    (e) For disablements occurring on and after April 1, 1951, and prior to July 1, 1971, from occupational disease resulting in temporary total disability for any work there shall be paid to the disabled employee during such temporary total disability a weekly compensation equal to sixty percent (60%) of the employee's average weekly wages for a period not to exceed five hundred (500) weeks. Compensation shall be allowed for the first seven (7) calendar days only if the disability continues for longer than twenty-eight (28) days.
    For disablements occurring on and after July 1, 1971, and prior to July 1, 1974, from occupational disease resulting in temporary total disability for any work there shall be paid to the disabled employee during such temporary total disability a weekly compensation equal to sixty percent (60%) of the employee's average weekly wages, as defined in section 19 of this chapter, for a period not to exceed five hundred (500) weeks. Compensation shall be allowed for the first seven (7) calendar days only if the disability continues for longer than twenty-eight (28) days.
    For disablements occurring on and after July 1, 1974, and before July 1, 1976, from occupational disease resulting in temporary total disability for any work there shall be paid to the disabled employee during such temporary total disability a weekly compensation equal to sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the employee's average weekly wages, up to one hundred thirty-five dollars ($135) average weekly wages, as defined in section 19 of this chapter, for a period not to exceed five hundred (500) weeks. Compensation shall be allowed for the first seven (7) calendar days only if the disability continues for longer than twenty-one (21) days.
    For disablements occurring on and after July 1, 1976, from occupational disease resulting in temporary total disability for any work there shall be paid to the disabled employee during the temporary total disability weekly compensation equal to sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the employee's average weekly wages, as defined in section 19 of this chapter, for a period not to exceed five hundred (500) weeks. Compensation shall be allowed for the first seven (7) calendar days only if the disability continues for longer than twenty-one (21) days.
    (f) For disablements occurring on and after April 1, 1951, and prior to July 1, 1971, from occupational disease resulting in temporary

partial disability for work there shall be paid to the disabled employee during such disability a weekly compensation equal to sixty percent (60%) of the difference between the employee's average weekly wages and the weekly wages at which the employee is actually employed after the disablement, for a period not to exceed three hundred (300) weeks. Compensation shall be allowed for the first seven (7) calendar days only if the disability continues for longer than twenty-eight (28) days. In case of partial disability after the period of temporary total disability, the later period shall be included as part of the maximum period allowed for partial disability.
    For disablements occurring on and after July 1, 1971, and prior to July 1, 1974, from occupational disease resulting in temporary partial disability for work there shall be paid to the disabled employee during such disability a weekly compensation equal to sixty percent (60%) of the difference between the employee's average weekly wages, as defined in section 19 of this chapter, and the weekly wages at which the employee is actually employed after the disablement, for a period not to exceed three hundred (300) weeks. Compensation shall be allowed for the first seven (7) calendar days only if the disability continues for longer than twenty-eight (28) days. In case of partial disability after the period of temporary total disability, the latter period shall be included as a part of the maximum period allowed for partial disability.
    For disablements occurring on and after July 1, 1974, from occupational disease resulting in temporary partial disability for work there shall be paid to the disabled employee during such disability a weekly compensation equal to sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the difference between the employee's average weekly wages, as defined in section 19 of this chapter, and the weekly wages at which he is actually employed after the disablement, for a period not to exceed three hundred (300) weeks. Compensation shall be allowed for the first seven (7) calendar days only if the disability continues for longer than twenty-one (21) days. In case of partial disability after the period of temporary total disability, the latter period shall be included as a part of the maximum period allowed for partial disability.
    (g) For disabilities occurring on and after April 1, 1951, and prior to April 1, 1955, from occupational disease in the following schedule, the employee shall receive in lieu of all other compensation, on account of such disabilities, a weekly compensation of sixty percent (60%) of the employee's average weekly wage; for disabilities occurring on and after April 1, 1955, and prior to July 1, 1971, from occupational disease in the following schedule, the employee shall receive in addition to disability benefits not exceeding twenty-six (26) weeks on account of

said occupational disease a weekly compensation of sixty percent (60%) of the employee's average weekly wages.
    For disabilities occurring on and after July 1, 1971, and before July 1, 1977, from occupational disease in the following schedule, the employee shall receive in addition to disability benefits not exceeding twenty-six (26) weeks on account of said occupational disease a weekly compensation of sixty percent (60%) of his average weekly wages not to exceed one hundred dollars ($100) average weekly wages, for the period stated for such disabilities respectively.
    For disabilities occurring on and after July 1, 1977, and before July 1, 1979, from occupational disease in the following schedule, the employee shall receive in addition to disability benefits not exceeding twenty-six (26) weeks on account of the occupational disease a weekly compensation of sixty percent (60%) of the employee's average weekly wages, not to exceed one hundred twenty-five dollars ($125) average weekly wages, for the period stated for the disabilities.
    For disabilities occurring on and after July 1, 1979, and before July 1, 1988, from occupational disease in the following schedule, the employee shall receive in addition to disability benefits, not exceeding fifty-two (52) weeks on account of the occupational disease, a weekly compensation of sixty percent (60%) of the employee's average weekly wages, not to exceed one hundred twenty-five dollars ($125) average weekly wages, for the period stated for the disabilities.
    For disabilities occurring on and after July 1, 1988, and before July 1, 1989, from occupational disease in the following schedule, the employee shall receive in addition to disability benefits, not exceeding seventy-eight (78) weeks on account of the occupational disease, a weekly compensation of sixty percent (60%) of the employee's average weekly wages, not to exceed one hundred sixty-six dollars ($166) average weekly wages, for the period stated for the disabilities.
    For disabilities occurring on and after July 1, 1989, and before July 1, 1990, from occupational disease in the following schedule, the employee shall receive in addition to disability benefits, not exceeding seventy-eight (78) weeks on account of the occupational disease, a weekly compensation of sixty percent (60%) of the employee's average weekly wages, not to exceed one hundred eighty-three dollars ($183) average weekly wages, for the period stated for the disabilities.
    For disabilities occurring on and after July 1, 1990, and before July 1, 1991, from occupational disease in the following schedule, the employee shall receive in addition to disability benefits, not exceeding seventy-eight (78) weeks on account of the occupational disease, a weekly compensation of sixty percent (60%) of the employee's average

weekly wages, not to exceed two hundred dollars ($200) average weekly wages, for the period stated for the disabilities.
        (1) Amputations: For the loss by separation, of the thumb, sixty (60) weeks; of the index finger, forty (40) weeks; of the second finger, thirty-five (35) weeks; of the third or ring finger, thirty (30) weeks; of the fourth or little finger, twenty (20) weeks; of the hand by separation below the elbow, two hundred (200) weeks; of the arm above the elbow joint, two hundred fifty (250) weeks; of the big toe, sixty (60) weeks; of the second toe, thirty (30) weeks; of the third toe, twenty (20) weeks; of the fourth toe, fifteen (15) weeks; of the fifth or little toe, ten (10) weeks; of the foot below the knee joint, one hundred fifty (150) weeks; and of the leg above the knee joint, two hundred (200) weeks. The loss of more than one (1) phalange of a thumb or toe shall be considered as the loss of the entire thumb or toe. The loss of more than two (2) phalanges of a finger shall be considered as the loss of the entire finger. The loss of not more than one (1) phalange of a thumb or toe shall be considered as the loss of one-half (1/2) of the thumb or toe and compensation shall be paid for one-half (1/2) of the period for the loss of the entire thumb or toe. The loss of not more than two (2) phalanges of a finger shall be considered as the loss of one-half (1/2) the finger and compensation shall be paid for one-half (1/2) of the period for the loss of the entire finger.
        (2) Loss of Use: The total permanent loss of the use of an arm, hand, thumb, finger, leg, foot, toe, or phalange shall be considered as the equivalent of the loss by separation of the arm, hand, thumb, finger, leg, foot, toe, or phalange and the compensation shall be paid for the same period as for the loss thereof by separation.
        (3) Partial Loss of Use: For the permanent partial loss of the use of an arm, hand, thumb, finger, leg, foot, toe, or phalange, compensation shall be paid for the proportionate loss of the use of such arm, hand, thumb, finger, leg, foot, toe, or phalange.
        (4) For disablements for occupational disease resulting in total permanent disability, five hundred (500) weeks.
        (5) For the loss of both hands, or both feet, or the total sight of both eyes, or any two (2) of such losses resulting from the same disablement by occupational disease, five hundred (500) weeks.
        (6) For the permanent and complete loss of vision by enucleation of an eye or its reduction to one-tenth (1/10) of normal vision with glasses, one hundred fifty (150) weeks, and for any other permanent reduction of the sight of an eye, compensation shall be

paid for a period proportionate to the degree of such permanent reduction without correction or glasses. However, when such permanent reduction without correction or glasses would result in one hundred percent (100%) loss of vision, but correction or glasses would result in restoration of vision, then compensation shall be paid for fifty percent (50%) of such total loss of vision without glasses plus an additional amount equal to the proportionate amount of such reduction with glasses, not to exceed an additional fifty percent (50%).
        (7) For the permanent and complete loss of hearing, two hundred (200) weeks.
        (8) In all other cases of permanent partial impairment, compensation proportionate to the degree of such permanent partial impairment, in the discretion of the worker's compensation board, not exceeding five hundred (500) weeks.
        (9) In all cases of permanent disfigurement, which may impair the future usefulness or opportunities of the employee, compensation in the discretion of the worker's compensation board, not exceeding two hundred (200) weeks, except that no compensation shall be payable under this paragraph where compensation shall be payable under subdivisions (1) through (8). Where compensation for temporary total disability has been paid, this amount of compensation shall be deducted from any compensation due for permanent disfigurement.
    With respect to disablements in the following schedule occurring on and after July 1, 1991, the employee shall receive in addition to temporary total disability benefits, not exceeding one hundred twenty-five (125) weeks on account of the disablement, compensation in an amount determined under the following schedule to be paid weekly at a rate of sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the employee's average weekly wages during the fifty-two (52) weeks immediately preceding the week in which the disablement occurred:
        (1) Amputation: For the loss by separation of the thumb, twelve (12) degrees of permanent impairment; of the index finger, eight (8) degrees of permanent impairment; of the second finger, seven (7) degrees of permanent impairment; of the third or ring finger, six (6) degrees of permanent impairment; of the fourth or little finger, four (4) degrees of permanent impairment; of the hand by separation below the elbow joint, forty (40) degrees of permanent impairment; of the arm above the elbow, fifty (50) degrees of permanent impairment; of the big toe, twelve (12) degrees of permanent impairment; of the second toe, six (6) degrees of

permanent impairment; of the third toe, four (4) degrees of permanent impairment; of the fourth toe, three (3) degrees of permanent impairment; of the fifth or little toe, two (2) degrees of permanent impairment; of separation of the foot below the knee joint, thirty-five (35) degrees of permanent impairment; and of the leg above the knee joint, forty-five (45) degrees of permanent impairment.
        (2) Amputations occurring on or after July 1, 1997: For the loss by separation of any of the body parts described in subdivision (1) on or after July 1, 1997, the dollar values per degree applying on the date of the injury as described in subsection (h) shall be multiplied by two (2). However, the doubling provision of this subdivision does not apply to a loss of use that is not a loss by separation.
        (3) The loss of more than one (1) phalange of a thumb or toe shall be considered as the loss of the entire thumb or toe. The loss of more than two (2) phalanges of a finger shall be considered as the loss of the entire finger. The loss of not more than one (1) phalange of a thumb or toe shall be considered as the loss of one-half (1/2) of the degrees of permanent impairment for the loss of the entire thumb or toe. The loss of not more than one (1) phalange of a finger shall be considered as the loss of one-third (1/3) of the finger and compensation shall be paid for one-third (1/3) of the degrees payable for the loss of the entire finger. The loss of more than one (1) phalange of the finger but not more than two (2) phalanges of the finger shall be considered as the loss of one-half (1/2) of the finger and compensation shall be paid for one-half (1/2) of the degrees payable for the loss of the entire finger.
        (4) For the loss by separation of both hands or both feet or the total sight of both eyes or any two (2) such losses in the same accident, one hundred (100) degrees of permanent impairment.
        (5) For the permanent and complete loss of vision by enucleation or its reduction to one-tenth (1/10) of normal vision with glasses, thirty-five (35) degrees of permanent impairment.
        (6) For the permanent and complete loss of hearing in one (1) ear, fifteen (15) degrees of permanent impairment, and in both ears, forty (40) degrees of permanent impairment.
        (7) For the loss of one (1) testicle, (10) ten degrees of permanent impairment; for the loss of both testicles, thirty (30) degrees of permanent impairment.
        (8) Loss of use: The total permanent loss of the use of an arm, a

hand, a thumb, a finger, a leg, a foot, a toe, or a phalange shall be considered as the equivalent of the loss by separation of the arm, hand, thumb, finger, leg, foot, toe, or phalange, and compensation shall be paid in the same amount as for the loss by separation. However, the doubling provision of subdivision (2) does not apply to a loss of use that is not a loss by separation.
        (9) Partial loss of use: For the permanent partial loss of the use of an arm, a hand, a thumb, a finger, a leg, a foot, a toe, or a phalange, compensation shall be paid for the proportionate loss of the use of the arm, hand, thumb, finger, leg, foot, toe, or phalange.
        (10) For disablements resulting in total permanent disability, the amount payable for impairment or five hundred (500) weeks of compensation, whichever is greater.
        (11) For any permanent reduction of the sight of an eye less than a total loss as specified in subdivision (3), the compensation shall be paid in an amount proportionate to the degree of a permanent reduction without correction or glasses. However, when a permanent reduction without correction or glasses would result in one hundred percent (100%) loss of vision, then compensation shall be paid for fifty percent (50%) of the total loss of vision without glasses, plus an additional amount equal to the proportionate amount of the reduction with glasses, not to exceed an additional fifty percent (50%).
        (12) For any permanent reduction of the hearing of one (1) or both ears, less than the total loss as specified in subdivision (4), compensation shall be paid in an amount proportionate to the degree of a permanent reduction.
        (13) In all other cases of permanent partial impairment, compensation proportionate to the degree of a permanent partial impairment, in the discretion of the worker's compensation board, not exceeding one hundred (100) degrees of permanent impairment.
        (14) In all cases of permanent disfigurement which may impair the future usefulness or opportunities of the employee, compensation, in the discretion of the worker's compensation board, not exceeding forty (40) degrees of permanent impairment except that no compensation shall be payable under this subdivision where compensation is payable elsewhere in this section.
    (h) With respect to disablements occurring on and after July 1, 1991, compensation for permanent partial impairment shall be paid according to the degree of permanent impairment for the disablement

determined under subsection (d) and the following:
        (1) With respect to disablements occurring on and after July 1, 1991, and before July 1, 1992, for each degree of permanent impairment from one (1) to thirty-five (35), five hundred dollars ($500) per degree; for each degree of permanent impairment from thirty-six (36) to fifty (50), nine hundred dollars ($900) per degree; for each degree of permanent impairment above fifty (50), one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500) per degree.
        (2) With respect to disablements occurring on and after July 1, 1992, and before July 1, 1993, for each degree of permanent impairment from one (1) to twenty (20), five hundred dollars ($500) per degree; for each degree of permanent impairment from twenty-one (21) to thirty-five (35), eight hundred dollars ($800) per degree; for each degree of permanent impairment from thirty-six (36) to fifty (50), one thousand three hundred dollars ($1,300) per degree; for each degree of permanent impairment above fifty (50), one thousand seven hundred dollars ($1,700) per degree.
        (3) With respect to disablements occurring on and after July 1, 1993, and before July 1, 1997, for each degree of permanent impairment from one (1) to ten (10), five hundred dollars ($500) per degree; for each degree of permanent impairment from eleven (11) to twenty (20), seven hundred dollars ($700) per degree; for each degree of permanent impairment from twenty-one (21) to thirty-five (35), one thousand dollars ($1,000) per degree; for each degree of permanent impairment from thirty-six (36) to fifty (50), one thousand four hundred dollars ($1,400) per degree; for each degree of permanent impairment above fifty (50), one thousand seven hundred dollars ($1,700) per degree.
        (4) With respect to disablements occurring on and after July 1, 1997, and before July 1, 1998, for each degree of permanent impairment from one (1) to ten (10), seven hundred fifty dollars ($750) per degree; for each degree of permanent impairment from eleven (11) thirty-five (35), one thousand dollars ($1,000) per degree; for each degree of permanent impairment from thirty-six (36) to fifty (50), one thousand four hundred dollars ($1,400) per degree; for each degree of permanent impairment above fifty (50), one thousand seven hundred dollars ($1,700) per degree.
        (5) With respect to disablements occurring on and after July 1, 1998, and before July 1, 1999, for each degree of permanent impairment from one (1) to ten (10), seven hundred fifty dollars ($750) per degree; for each degree of permanent impairment from

eleven (11) to thirty-five (35), one thousand dollars ($1,000) per degree; for each degree of permanent impairment from thirty-six (36) to fifty (50), one thousand four hundred dollars ($1,400) per degree; for each degree of permanent impairment above fifty (50), one thousand seven hundred dollars ($1,700) per degree.
        (6) With respect to disablements occurring on and after July 1, 1999, and before July 1, 2000, for each degree of permanent impairment from one (1) to ten (10), nine hundred dollars ($900) per degree; for each degree of permanent impairment from eleven (11) to thirty-five (35), one thousand one hundred dollars ($1,100) per degree; for each degree of permanent impairment from thirty-six (36) to fifty (50), one thousand six hundred dollars ($1,600) per degree; for each degree of permanent impairment above fifty (50), two thousand dollars ($2,000) per degree.
        (7) With respect to injuries occurring on and after July 1, 2000, and before July 1, 2001, for each degree of permanent impairment from one (1) to ten (10), two thousand fifty dollars ($2,050) per degree; for each degree of permanent impairment from eleven (11) to thirty-five (35), two thousand seven hundred dollars ($2,700) per degree; for each degree of permanent impairment from thirty-six (36) to fifty (50), three thousand three hundred dollars ($3,300) per degree; for each degree of permanent impairment above fifty (50), three thousand nine hundred dollars ($3,900) per degree.
         (8) With respect to injuries occurring on and after July 1, 2001, and before July 1, 2002, for each degree of permanent impairment from one (1) to ten (10), two thousand four hundred dollars ($2,400) per degree; for each degree of permanent impairment from eleven (11) to thirty-five (35), three thousand seventy-five dollars ($3,075) per degree; for each degree of permanent impairment from thirty-six (36) to fifty (50), three thousand seven hundred seventy-five dollars ($3,775) per degree; for each degree of permanent impairment above fifty (50), four thousand five hundred twenty-five dollars ($4,525) per degree.
         (9) With respect to injuries occurring on and after July 1, 2002, for each degree of permanent impairment from one (1) to ten (10), two thousand seven hundred forty-seven dollars ($2,747) per degree; for each degree of permanent impairment from eleven (11) to thirty-five (35), three thousand four hundred thirty-three dollars ($3,433) per degree; for each degree of permanent impairment from

thirty-six (36) to fifty (50), four thousand two hundred ninety-two dollars ($4,292) per degree; for each degree of permanent impairment above fifty (50), five thousand three hundred sixty-five dollars ($5,365) per degree.
    (i) The average weekly wages used in the determination of compensation for permanent partial impairment under subsections (g) and (h) shall not exceed the following:
        (1) With respect to disablements occurring on or after July 1, 1991, and before July 1, 1992, four hundred ninety-two dollars ($492).
        (2) With respect to disablements occurring on or after July 1, 1992, and before July 1, 1993, five hundred forty dollars ($540).
        (3) With respect to disablements occurring on or after July 1, 1993, and before July 1, 1994, five hundred ninety-one dollars ($591).
        (4) With respect to disablements occurring on or after July 1, 1994, and before July 1, 1997, six hundred forty-two dollars ($642).
        (5) With respect to disablements occurring on or after July 1, 1997, and before July 1, 1998, six hundred seventy-two dollars ($672).
        (6) With respect to disablements occurring on or after July 1, 1998, and before July 1, 1999, seven hundred two dollars ($702).
        (7) With respect to disablements occurring on or after July 1, 1999, and before July 1, 2000, seven hundred thirty-two dollars ($732).
        (8) With respect to disablements occurring on or after July 1, 2000, and before July 1, 2001, seven hundred sixty-two dollars ($762).
        (9) With respect to injuries occurring on or after July 1, 2001, and before July 1, 2002, eight hundred thirty-eight dollars ($838).
        (10) With respect to injuries occurring on or after July 1, 2002, nine hundred fourteen dollars ($914).

    (j) If any employee, only partially disabled, refuses employment suitable to his capacity procured for him, he shall not be entitled to any compensation at any time during the continuance of such refusal unless, in the opinion of the worker's compensation board, such refusal was justifiable. The employee must be served with a notice setting forth the consequences of the refusal under this subsection. The notice must be in a form prescribed by the worker's compensation board.
    (k) If an employee has sustained a permanent impairment or

disability from an accidental injury other than an occupational disease in another employment than that in which he suffered a subsequent disability from an occupational disease, such as herein specified, the employee shall be entitled to compensation for the subsequent disability in the same amount as if the previous impairment or disability had not occurred. However, if the permanent impairment or disability resulting from an occupational disease for which compensation is claimed results only in the aggravation or increase of a previously sustained permanent impairment from an occupational disease or physical condition regardless of the source or cause of such previously sustained impairment from an occupational disease or physical condition, the board shall determine the extent of the previously sustained permanent impairment from an occupational disease or physical condition as well as the extent of the aggravation or increase resulting from the subsequent permanent impairment or disability, and shall award compensation only for that part of said occupational disease or physical condition resulting from the subsequent permanent impairment. An amputation of any part of the body or loss of any or all of the vision of one (1) or both eyes caused by an occupational disease shall be considered as a permanent impairment or physical condition.
    (l) If an employee suffers a disablement from occupational disease for which compensation is payable while the employee is still receiving or entitled to compensation for a previous injury by accident or disability by occupational disease in the same employment, he shall not at the same time be entitled to compensation for both, unless it be for a permanent injury, such as specified in subsection (g)(1), (g)(2), (g)(3), (g)(6), or (g)(7); but the employee shall be entitled to compensation for that disability and from the time of that disability which will cover the longest period and the largest amount payable under this chapter.
    (m) If an employee receives a permanent disability from occupational disease such as specified in subsection (g)(1), (g)(2), (g)(3), (g)(6), or (g)(7), after having sustained another such permanent disability in the same employment the employee shall be entitled to compensation for both such disabilities, but the total compensation shall be paid by extending the period and not by increasing the amount of weekly compensation and, when such previous and subsequent permanent disabilities, in combination result in total permanent disability or permanent total impairment, compensation shall be payable for such permanent total disability or impairment, but payments made for the previous disability or impairment shall be

deducted from the total payment of compensation due.
    (n) When an employee has been awarded or is entitled to an award of compensation for a definite period under this chapter for disability from occupational disease, which disablement occurs on and after April 1, 1951, and prior to April 1, 1963, and such employee dies from any other cause than such occupational disease, payment of the unpaid balance of such compensation, not exceeding three hundred (300) weeks, shall be made to the employee's dependents of the second and third class as defined in sections 11 through 14 of this chapter, and compensation, not exceeding five hundred (500) weeks, shall be made to the employee's dependents of the first class as defined in sections 11 through 14 of this chapter. When an employee has been awarded or is entitled to an award of compensation for a definite period from an occupational disease wherein disablement occurs on and after April 1, 1963, and such employee dies from other causes than such occupational disease, payment of the unpaid balance of such compensation not exceeding three hundred fifty (350) weeks shall be paid to the employee's dependents of the second and third class as defined in sections 11 through 14 of this chapter and compensation, not exceeding five hundred (500) weeks shall be made to the employee's dependents of the first class as defined in sections 11 through 14 of this chapter.
    (o) Any payment made by the employer to the employee during the period of the employee's disability, or to the employee's dependents, which, by the terms of this chapter, was not due and payable when made, may, subject to the approval of the worker's compensation board, be deducted from the amount to be paid as compensation, but such deduction shall be made from the distal end of the period during which compensation must be paid, except in cases of temporary disability.
    (p) When so provided in the compensation agreement or in the award of the worker's compensation board, compensation may be paid semimonthly, or monthly, instead of weekly.
    (q) When the aggregate payments of compensation awarded by agreement or upon hearing to an employee or dependent under eighteen (18) years of age do not exceed one hundred dollars ($100), the payment thereof may be made directly to such employee or dependent, except when the worker's compensation board shall order otherwise.
    Whenever the aggregate payments of compensation, due to any person under eighteen (18) years of age, exceed one hundred dollars ($100), the payment thereof shall be made to a trustee, appointed by the circuit or superior court, or to a duly qualified guardian, or, upon the order of the worker's compensation board, to a parent or to such minor

person. The payment of compensation, due to any person eighteen (18) years of age or over, may be made directly to such person.
    (r) If an employee, or a dependent, is mentally incompetent, or a minor at the time when any right or privilege accrues to the employee under this chapter, the employee's guardian or trustee may, in the employee's behalf, claim and exercise such right and privilege.
    (s) All compensation payments named and provided for in this section, shall mean and be defined to be for only such occupational diseases and disabilities therefrom as are proved by competent evidence, of which there are or have been objective conditions or symptoms proven, not within the physical or mental control of the employee himself.

SOURCE: IC 22-3-7-16.1; (00)IN1050.1.12. -->     SECTION 12. IC 22-3-7-16.1 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE AS A NEW SECTION TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2000]: Sec. 16.1. (a) As used in this section, "board" refers to the worker's compensation board created under IC 22-3-1-1.
    (b) If an employee who from an occupational disease becomes permanently and totally impaired by reason of the loss, or loss of use of, another such member or eye, the employer shall be liable only for the compensation payable for the second injury. However, in addition to such compensation and after the completion of the payment therefor, the employee shall be paid the remainder of the compensation that would be due for the total permanent impairment out of a special fund known as the occupational disease second injury fund.
    (c) Whenever the board determines under the procedures set forth in subsection (d) that an assessment is necessary to ensure that fund beneficiaries continue to receive compensation in a timely manner for a reasonable prospective period, the board shall send notice not later than October 1 in any year to:
        (1) all insurance carriers and other entities insuring or providing coverage to employers who are or may be liable under this article to pay compensation for personal injuries to or the death of one of their employees from an occupational disease; and
        (2) each employer carrying the employer's own risk for personal injuries to or the death of one of their employees from an occupational disease;
stating that an assessment is necessary. The board may conduct an assessment under this subsection not more than one (1) time annually. Every insurance carrier insuring employers who are or

may be liable under this article to pay compensation for disablement or death from occupational diseases of their employees under this article and every employer carrying the employer's own risk shall, not later than thirty (30) days after receiving notice from the board, pay to the worker's compensation board for the benefit of a fund to be known as the occupational diseases second injury fund. The payment shall be in a sum equal to one and one-half percent (1.5%) of the total amount of all payments under this chapter for occupational diseases paid to employees with occupational diseases or their beneficiaries under this chapter for the calendar year next preceding the due date of such payment. If the amount to the credit of the occupational diseases second injury fund as of October 1 of any year exceeds one million dollars ($1,000,000), the payments of one and one-half percent (1.5%) shall not be assessed or collected during the ensuing year. But when on October 1 of any year the amount to the credit of the fund is less than one million dollars ($1,000,000), the payments of one and one-half percent (1.5%) of the total amount of all payments under this chapter for occupational diseases paid to employees with occupational diseases or their beneficiaries under this chapter for the calendar year next preceding that date shall be resumed and paid into the fund.
    (d) The board shall enter into a contract with an actuary or another qualified firm that has experience in calculating worker's compensation liabilities. Not later than September 1 of each year, the actuary or other qualified firm shall calculate the recommended funding level of the fund based on the previous year's claims and inform the board of the results of the calculation. If the amount to the credit of the fund is less than the amount required under subsection (c), the board may conduct an assessment under subsection (c). The board shall pay the costs of the contract under this subsection with money in the fund.
    (e) An assessment collected under subsection (c) on an employer who is not self-insured must be assessed through a surcharge based on the employer's premium. An assessment collected under subsection (c) does not constitute an element of loss, but for the purpose of collection shall be treated as a separate cost imposed upon insured employers. A premium surcharge under this subsection must be collected at the same time and in the same manner in which the premium for coverage is collected, and must be shown as a separate amount on a premium statement. A premium surcharge under this subsection must be excluded from

the definition of premium for all purposes, including the computation of agent commissions or premium taxes. However, an insurer may cancel a worker's compensation policy for nonpayment of the premium surcharge. A cancellation under this subsection must be carried out under the statutes applicable to the nonpayment of premiums.
    (f) The sums under this section shall be paid by the worker's compensation board to the treasurer of state, to be deposited in a special account known as the occupational diseases second injury fund. The funds are not part of the state general fund. Any balance remaining in the account at the end of any fiscal year does not revert to the state general fund. The funds shall be used only for the payment of awards of compensation and expense of medical examinations or treatment made and ordered by the board and chargeable against the occupational diseases second injury fund under this section and shall be paid for that purpose by the treasurer of state upon award or order of the board.
    (g) If an employee who is entitled to compensation under this chapter either:
        (1) exhausts the maximum benefits under section 19 of this chapter without having received the full amount of award granted to the employee under section 16 of this chapter; or
        (2) exhausts the employee's benefits under section 16 of this chapter;
the employee may apply to the worker's compensation board, which may award the employee compensation from the occupational diseases second injury fund established by this section, as provided under subsection (b).
    (h) An employee who has exhausted the employee's maximum benefits under section 10 of this chapter may be awarded additional compensation equal to sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the employee's average weekly wage at the time of the employee's disablement from occupational disease, not to exceed the maximum then applicable under section 19 of this chapter for a period not to exceed one hundred fifty (150) weeks upon competent evidence sufficient to establish:
        (1) that the employee is totally and permanently disabled from an occupational disease (as defined in section 10 of this chapter) of which there are or have been objective conditions and symptoms proven that are not within the physical or mental control of the employee; and
        (2) that the employee is unable to support the employee in any

gainful employment, not associated with rehabilitative or vocational therapy.
    (i) The additional award may be renewed during the employee's total and permanent disability after appropriate hearings by the worker's compensation board for successive periods not to exceed one hundred fifty (150) weeks each.

SOURCE: IC 22-3-7-17; (00)IN1050.1.13. -->     SECTION 13. IC 22-3-7-17 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2000]: Sec. 17. (a) During the period of disablement, the employer shall furnish or cause to be furnished, free of charge to the employee, an attending physician for the treatment of his occupational disease, and in addition thereto such surgical, hospital, and nursing services and supplies as the attending physician or the worker's compensation board may deem necessary. If the employee is requested or required by the employer to submit to treatment outside the county of employment, said the employer shall also pay the reasonable expense of travel, food, and lodging necessary during the travel, but not to exceed the amount paid at the time of said the travel by the state of Indiana to its employees.
    (b) During the period of disablement resulting from the occupational disease, the employer shall furnish such physician, services, and supplies, and the worker's compensation board may, on proper application of either party, require that treatment by such physician and such services and supplies be furnished by or on behalf of the employer as the board may deem reasonably necessary.
     (c) No representative of the employer or insurance carrier, including case managers or rehabilitation nurses, may be present at any treatment of an employee with an occupational disease without the express written consent of the employee and the treating medical personnel. At the time of any medical treatment that a representative of the employer wishes to attend, the representative of the employer shall inform the employee with an occupational disease and treating medical personnel that their written consent is required before the attendance of the employer's representative. The employee's compensation and benefits may not be jeopardized in any way due to the employer's failure or refusal to complete a written waiver allowing the attendance of the employer's representative. The employer's representative may not in any way cause the employee to believe that the employee's compensation and benefits will be terminated if the employee fails or refuses to complete a written waiver allowing the attendance of the employer's representative. The written waivers shall be executed on forms prescribed by the board.
     (d) After an employee's occupational disease has been adjudicated by agreement or award on the basis of permanent partial impairment and within the statutory period for review in such case as provided in section 27(i) of this chapter, the employer may continue to furnish a physician or a surgeon and other medical services and supplies, and the board may, within such statutory period for review as provided in section 27(i) of this chapter, on a proper application of either party, require that treatment by such physician or surgeon and such services and supplies be furnished by and on behalf of the employer as the board may deem necessary to limit or reduce the amount and extent of such impairment. The refusal of the employee to accept such services and supplies when so provided by or on behalf of the employer, shall bar the employee from all compensation otherwise payable during the period of such refusal and his right to prosecute any proceeding under this chapter shall be suspended and abated until such refusal ceases. The employee must be served with a notice setting forth the consequences of the refusal under this section. The notice must be in a form prescribed by the worker's compensation board. No compensation for permanent total impairment, permanent partial impairment, permanent disfigurement, or death shall be paid or payable for that part or portion of such impairment, disfigurement, or death which is the result of the failure of such employee to accept such treatment, services, and supplies, provided that an employer may at any time permit an employee to have treatment for his disease or injury by spiritual means or prayer in lieu of such physician, services, and supplies.
    (c) (e) Regardless of when it occurs, where a compensable occupational disease results in the amputation of a body part, the enucleation of an eye, or the loss of natural teeth, the employer shall furnish an appropriate artificial member, braces, and prosthodontics. The cost of repairs to or replacements for the artificial members, braces, or prosthodontics that result from a compensable occupational disease pursuant to a prior award and are required due to either medical necessity or normal wear and tear, determined according to the employee's individual use, but not abuse, of the artificial member, braces, or prosthodontics, shall be paid from the second injury fund upon order or award of the worker's compensation board. The employee is not required to meet any other requirement for admission to the second injury fund.
    (d) (f) If an emergency or because of the employer's failure to provide such attending physician or such surgical, hospital, or nurse's services and supplies or such treatment by spiritual means or prayer as

specified in this section, or for other good reason, a physician other than that provided by the employer treats the diseased employee within the period of disability, or necessary and proper surgical, hospital, or nurse's services and supplies are procured within said the period, the reasonable cost of such services and supplies shall, subject to approval of the worker's compensation board, be paid by the employer.
    (e) (g) This section may not be construed to prohibit an agreement between an employer and employees that has the approval of the board and that:
        (1) binds the parties to medical care furnished by providers selected by agreement before or after disablement; or
        (2) makes the findings of a provider chosen in this manner binding upon the parties.
    (f) (h) The employee and the employee's estate do not have liability to a health care provider for payment for services obtained under this section. The right to order payment for all services provided under this chapter is solely with the board. All claims by a health care provider for payment for services are against the employer and the employer's insurance carrier, if any, and must be made with the board under this chapter.
     (i) After medical treatment has commenced, neither the employer nor the insurance carrier is entitled to transfer or otherwise redirect treatment to other treating medical personnel, except in an emergency situation, unless the employee requests the transfer or redirected treatment, the treating medical personnel requests discontinuance of providing treatment, or there is other good cause. If the employer or insurance carrier wishes to transfer treatment for good cause, a transfer may not be permitted unless and until the board issues an order granting the request. The request shall be made on forms prescribed by the board.

SOURCE: IC 22-3-7-19; (00)IN1050.1.14. -->     SECTION 14. IC 22-3-7-19 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2000]: Sec. 19. (a) In computing compensation for temporary total disability, temporary partial disability, and total permanent disability under this law with respect to occupational diseases occurring:
        (1) on and after July 1, 1974, and before July 1, 1976, the average weekly wages shall be considered to be:
            (A) not more than one hundred thirty-five dollars ($135); and
            (B) not less than seventy-five dollars ($75);
        (2) on and after July 1, 1976, and before July 1, 1977, the average weekly wages shall be considered to be:
            (A) not more than one hundred fifty-six dollars ($156); and
            (B) not less than seventy-five dollars ($75);
        (3) on and after July 1, 1977, and before July 1, 1979, the average weekly wages are considered to be:
            (A) not more than one hundred eighty dollars ($180); and
            (B) not less than seventy-five dollars ($75);
        (4) on and after July 1, 1979, and before July 1, 1980, the average weekly wages are considered to be:
            (A) not more than one hundred ninety-five dollars ($195); and
            (B) not less than seventy-five dollars ($75);
        (5) on and after July 1, 1980, and before July 1, 1983, the average weekly wages are considered to be:
            (A) not more than two hundred ten dollars ($210); and
            (B) not less than seventy-five dollars ($75);
        (6) on and after July 1, 1983, and before July 1, 1984, the average weekly wages are considered to be:
            (A) not more than two hundred thirty-four dollars ($234); and
            (B) not less than seventy-five dollars ($75); and
        (7) on and after July 1, 1984, and before July 1, 1985, the average weekly wages are considered to be:
            (A) not more than two hundred forty-nine dollars ($249); and
            (B) not less than seventy-five dollars ($75).
    (b) In computing compensation for temporary total disability, temporary partial disability, and total permanent disability, with respect to occupational diseases occurring on and after July 1, 1985, and before July 1, 1986, the average weekly wages are considered to be:
        (1) not more than two hundred sixty-seven dollars ($267); and
        (2) not less than seventy-five dollars ($75).
    (c) In computing compensation for temporary total disability, temporary partial disability, and total permanent disability, with respect to occupational diseases occurring on and after July 1, 1986, and before July 1, 1988, the average weekly wages are considered to be:
        (1) not more than two hundred eighty-five dollars ($285); and
        (2) not less than seventy-five dollars ($75).
    (d) In computing compensation for temporary total disability, temporary partial disability, and total permanent disability, with respect to occupational diseases occurring on and after July 1, 1988, and before July 1, 1989, the average weekly wages are considered to be:
        (1) not more than three hundred eighty-four dollars ($384); and
        (2) not less than seventy-five dollars ($75).
    (e) In computing compensation for temporary total disability, temporary partial disability, and total permanent disability, with respect to occupational diseases occurring on and after July 1, 1989, and before

July 1, 1990, the average weekly wages are considered to be:
        (1) not more than four hundred eleven dollars ($411); and
        (2) not less than seventy-five dollars ($75).
    (f) In computing compensation for temporary total disability, temporary partial disability, and total permanent disability, with respect to occupational diseases occurring on and after July 1, 1990, and before July 1, 1991, the average weekly wages are considered to be:
        (1) not more than four hundred forty-one dollars ($441); and
        (2) not less than seventy-five dollars ($75).
    (g) In computing compensation for temporary total disability, temporary partial disability, and total permanent disability, with respect to occupational diseases occurring on and after July 1, 1991, and before July 1, 1992, the average weekly wages are considered to be:
        (1) not more than four hundred ninety-two dollars ($492); and
        (2) not less than seventy-five dollars ($75).
    (h) In computing compensation for temporary total disability, temporary partial disability, and total permanent disability, with respect to occupational diseases occurring on and after July 1, 1992, and before July 1, 1993, the average weekly wages are considered to be:
        (1) not more than five hundred forty dollars ($540); and
        (2) not less than seventy-five dollars ($75).
    (i) In computing compensation for temporary total disability, temporary partial disability, and total permanent disability, with respect to occupational diseases occurring on and after July 1, 1993, and before July 1, 1994, the average weekly wages are considered to be:
        (1) not more than five hundred ninety-one dollars ($591); and
        (2) not less than seventy-five dollars ($75).
    (j) In computing compensation for temporary total disability, temporary partial disability and total permanent disability, with respect to occupational diseases occurring on and after July 1, 1994, and before July 1, 1997, the average weekly wages are considered to be:
        (1) not more than six hundred forty-two dollars ($642); and
        (2) not less than seventy-five dollars ($75).
    (k) In computing compensation for temporary total disability, temporary partial disability, and total permanent disability, the average weekly wages are considered to be:
        (1) with respect to occupational diseases occurring on and after July 1, 1997, and before July 1, 1998:
            (A) not more than six hundred seventy-two dollars ($672); and
            (B) not less than seventy-five dollars ($75);
        (2) with respect to occupational diseases occurring on and after July 1, 1998, and before July 1, 1999:


            (A) not more than seven hundred two dollars ($702); and
            (B) not less than seventy-five dollars ($75);
        (3) with respect to occupational diseases occurring on and after July 1, 1999, and before July 1, 2000:
            (A) not more than seven hundred thirty-two dollars ($732); and
            (B) not less than seventy-five dollars ($75); and
        (4) with respect to occupational diseases occuring occurring on and after July 1, 2000, and before July 1, 2001:
            (A) not more than seven hundred sixty-two dollars ($762); and
            (B) not less than seventy-five dollars ($75);
         (5) with respect to injuries occurring on and after July 1, 2001, and before July 1, 2002:
            (A) not more than eight hundred thirty-eight dollars ($838); and
            (B) not less than seventy-five dollars ($75); and

         (6) with respect to injuries occurring on and after July 1, 2002:
            (A) not more than nine hundred fourteen dollars ($914); and
            (B) not less than seventy-five dollars ($75).

    (l) The maximum compensation that shall be paid for occupational disease and its results under any one (1) or more provisions of this chapter with respect to disability or death occurring:
        (1) on and after July 1, 1974, and before July 1, 1976, shall not exceed forty-five thousand dollars ($45,000) in any case;
        (2) on and after July 1, 1976, and before July 1, 1977, shall not exceed fifty-two thousand dollars ($52,000) in any case;
        (3) on and after July 1, 1977, and before July 1, 1979, may not exceed sixty thousand dollars ($60,000) in any case;
        (4) on and after July 1, 1979, and before July 1, 1980, may not exceed sixty-five thousand dollars ($65,000) in any case;
        (5) on and after July 1, 1980, and before July 1, 1983, may not exceed seventy thousand dollars ($70,000) in any case;
        (6) on and after July 1, 1983, and before July 1, 1984, may not exceed seventy-eight thousand dollars ($78,000) in any case; and
        (7) on and after July 1, 1984, and before July 1, 1985, may not exceed eighty-three thousand dollars ($83,000) in any case.
    (m) The maximum compensation with respect to disability or death occurring on and after July 1, 1985, and before July 1, 1986, which shall be paid for occupational disease and the results thereof under the provisions of this chapter or under any combination of its provisions

may not exceed eighty-nine thousand dollars ($89,000) in any case. The maximum compensation with respect to disability or death occurring on and after July 1, 1986, and before July 1, 1988, which shall be paid for occupational disease and the results thereof under the provisions of this chapter or under any combination of its provisions may not exceed ninety-five thousand dollars ($95,000) in any case. The maximum compensation with respect to disability or death occurring on and after July 1, 1988, and before July 1, 1989, that shall be paid for occupational disease and the results thereof under this chapter or under any combination of its provisions may not exceed one hundred twenty-eight thousand dollars ($128,000) in any case.
    (n) The maximum compensation with respect to disability or death occurring on and after July 1, 1989, and before July 1, 1990, that shall be paid for occupational disease and the results thereof under this chapter or under any combination of its provisions may not exceed one hundred thirty-seven thousand dollars ($137,000) in any case.
    (o) The maximum compensation with respect to disability or death occurring on and after July 1, 1990, and before July 1, 1991, that shall be paid for occupational disease and the results thereof under this chapter or under any combination of its provisions may not exceed one hundred forty-seven thousand dollars ($147,000) in any case.
    (p) The maximum compensation with respect to disability or death occurring on and after July 1, 1991, and before July 1, 1992, that shall be paid for occupational disease and the results thereof under this chapter or under any combination of the provisions of this chapter may not exceed one hundred sixty-four thousand dollars ($164,000) in any case.
    (q) The maximum compensation with respect to disability or death occurring on and after July 1, 1992, and before July 1, 1993, that shall be paid for occupational disease and the results thereof under this chapter or under any combination of the provisions of this chapter may not exceed one hundred eighty thousand dollars ($180,000) in any case.
    (r) The maximum compensation with respect to disability or death occurring on and after July 1, 1993, and before July 1, 1994, that shall be paid for occupational disease and the results thereof under this chapter or under any combination of the provisions of this chapter may not exceed one hundred ninety-seven thousand dollars ($197,000) in any case.
    (s) The maximum compensation with respect to disability or death occurring on and after July 1, 1994, and before July 1, 1997, that shall be paid for occupational disease and the results thereof under this chapter or under any combination of the provisions of this chapter may

not exceed two hundred fourteen thousand dollars ($214,000) in any case.
    (t) The maximum compensation that shall be paid for occupational disease and the results of an occupational disease under this chapter or under any combination of the provisions of this chapter may not exceed the following amounts in any case:
        (1) With respect to disability or death occurring on and after July 1, 1997, and before July 1, 1998, two hundred twenty-four thousand dollars ($224,000).
        (2) With respect to disability or death occurring on and after July 1, 1998, and before July 1, 1999, two hundred thirty-four thousand dollars ($234,000).
        (3) With respect to disability or death occurring on and after July 1, 1999, and before July 1, 2000, two hundred forty-four thousand dollars ($244,000).
        (4) With respect to disability or death occurring on and after July 1, 2000, and before July 1, 2001, two hundred fifty-four thousand dollars ($254,000).
        (5) With respect to an injury occurring on and after July 1, 2001, and before July 1, 2002, two hundred seventy-nine thousand three hundred five dollars ($279,305).
         (6) With respect to an injury occurring on and after July 1, 2002, three hundred four thousand six hundred thirty-six dollars ($304,636).
    (u) For all disabilities occurring before July 1, 1985, "average weekly wages" shall mean the earnings of the injured employee in the employment in which the employee was working at the time of the last exposure during the period of fifty-two (52) weeks immediately preceding the last day of the last exposure divided by fifty-two (52). If the employee lost seven (7) or more calendar days during the period, although not in the same week, then the earnings for the remainder of the fifty-two (52) weeks shall be divided by the number of weeks and parts thereof remaining after the time lost has been deducted. Where the employment prior to the last day of the last exposure extended over a period of less than fifty-two (52) weeks, the method of dividing the earnings during that period by the number of weeks and parts thereof during which the employee earned wages shall be followed if results just and fair to both parties will be obtained. Where by reason of the shortness of the time during which the employee has been in the employment of the employer or of the casual nature or terms of the employment it is impracticable to compute the average weekly wages as above defined, regard shall be had to the average weekly amount

which, during the fifty-two (52) weeks previous to the last day of the last exposure, was being earned by a person in the same grade employed at the same work by the same employer, or if there is no person so employed, by a person in the same grade employed in that same class of employment in the same district. Whenever allowances of any character are made to an employee in lieu of wages or a specified part of the wage contract, they shall be deemed a part of the employee's earnings.
    (v) For all disabilities occurring on and after July 1, 1985, "average weekly wages" means the earnings of the injured employee during the period of fifty-two (52) weeks immediately preceding the disability divided by fifty-two (52). If the employee lost seven (7) or more calendar days during the period, although not in the same week, then the earnings for the remainder of the fifty-two (52) weeks shall be divided by the number of weeks and parts of weeks remaining after the time lost has been deducted. If employment before the date of disability extended over a period of less than fifty-two (52) weeks, the method of dividing the earnings during that period by the number of weeks and parts of weeks during which the employee earned wages shall be followed if results just and fair to both parties will be obtained. If by reason of the shortness of the time during which the employee has been in the employment of the employer or of the casual nature or terms of the employment it is impracticable to compute the average weekly wages for the employee, the employee's average weekly wages shall be considered to be the average weekly amount that, during the fifty-two (52) weeks before the date of disability, was being earned by a person in the same grade employed at the same work by the same employer or, if there is no person so employed, by a person in the same grade employed in that same class of employment in the same district. Whenever allowances of any character are made to an employee instead of wages or a specified part of the wage contract, they shall be considered a part of the employee's earnings.
    (w) The provisions of this article may not be construed to result in an award of benefits in which the number of weeks paid or to be paid for temporary total disability, temporary partial disability, or permanent total disability benefits combined exceeds five hundred (500) weeks. This section shall not be construed to prevent a person from applying for an award under IC 22-3-3-13. However, in case of permanent total disability resulting from a disablement occurring on or after January 1, 1998, the minimum total benefit shall not be less than seventy-five thousand dollars ($75,000).

SOURCE: IC 22-3-7-20; (00)IN1050.1.15. -->     SECTION 15. IC 22-3-7-20 IS AMENDED TO READ AS

FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2000]: Sec. 20. (a) After disablement and during the period of claimed resulting disability or impairment, the employee, if so requested by the employee's employer or ordered by the worker's compensation board, shall submit to an examination at reasonable times and places by a duly qualified physician or surgeon designated and paid by the employer or by order of the board. The employee shall have the right to have present at any such examination any duly qualified physician or surgeon provided and paid for by the employee. No fact communicated to or otherwise learned by any physician or surgeon who may have attended or examined the employee, or who may have been present at any examination, shall be privileged either in the hearings provided for in this chapter, or in any action at law brought to recover damages against any employer who is subject to the compensation provisions of this chapter. If the employee refuses to submit to, or in any way obstructs the examinations, the employee's right to compensation and right to take or prosecute any proceedings under this chapter shall be suspended until the refusal or obstruction ceases. No compensation shall at any time be payable for the period of suspension unless in the opinion of the board, the circumstances justified the refusal or obstruction. The employee must be served with a notice setting forth the consequences of the refusal under this subsection. The notice must be in a form prescribed by the worker's compensation board.
    (b) Any employer requesting an examination of any employee residing within Indiana shall pay, in advance of the time fixed for the examination, sufficient money to defray the necessary expenses of travel by the most convenient means to and from the place of examination, and the cost of meals and lodging necessary during the travel. If the method of travel is by automobile, the mileage rate to be paid by the employer shall be the rate as is then currently being paid by the state to its employees under the state travel policies and procedures established by the department of administration and approved by the state budget agency. If the examination or travel to or from the place of examination causes any loss of working time on the part of the employee, the employer shall reimburse the employee for the loss of wages upon the basis of such employee's average daily wage.
    (c) When any employee injured in Indiana moves outside Indiana, the travel expense and the cost of meals and lodging necessary during the travel, payable under this section, shall be paid from the point in Indiana nearest to the employee's then residence to the place of examination. No travel and other expense shall be paid for any travel and other expense required outside Indiana.


    (d) A duly qualified physician or surgeon provided and paid for by the employee may be present at an examination, if the employee so desires. In all cases, where the examination is made by a physician or surgeon engaged by the employer and the disabled or injured employee has no physician or surgeon present at the examination, it shall be the duty of the physician or surgeon making the examination to deliver to the injured employee, or the employee's representative, a statement in writing of the conditions evidenced by such examination. The statement shall disclose all facts that are reported by the physician or surgeon to the employer. This statement shall be furnished to the employee or the employee's representative as soon as practicable, but not later than thirty (30) days before the time the case is set for hearing. The statement may be submitted by either party as evidence by that physician or surgeon at a hearing before the worker's compensation board if the statement meets the requirements of subsection (f) (g). If the physician or surgeon fails or refuses to furnish the employee or the employee's representative with such statement thirty (30) days before the hearing, then the statement may not be submitted as evidence, and the physician shall not be permitted to testify before the worker's compensation board as to any facts learned in the examination. All of the requirements of this subsection apply to all subsequent examinations requested by the employer.
     (e) No representative of the employer or insurance carrier, including case managers or rehabilitation nurses, may be present at any examination of an employee with an occupational disease without the express written consent of the employee and the treating medical personnel. At the time of any medical examination that a representative of the employer wishes to attend, the representative of the employer shall inform the employee with an occupational disease and treating medical personnel that their written consent is required before the attendance of the employer's representative. The employee's compensation and benefits may not be jeopardized in any way due to the employer's failure or refusal to complete a written waiver allowing the attendance of the employer's representative. The employer's representative may not in any way cause the employee to believe that the employee's compensation and benefits will be terminated if the employee fails or refuses to complete a written waiver allowing the attendance of the employer's representative. The written waivers shall be executed on forms prescribed by the board.
    (e) (f) In all cases where an examination of an employee is made by a physician or surgeon engaged by the employee, and the employer has

no physician or surgeon present at such examination, it shall be the duty of the physician or surgeon making the examination to deliver to the employer or the employer's representative a statement in writing of the conditions evidenced by such examination. The statement shall disclose all the facts that are reported by such physician or surgeon to the employee. The statement shall be furnished to the employer or the employer's representative as soon as practicable, but not later than thirty (30) days before the time the case is set for hearing. The statement may be submitted by either party as evidence by that physician or surgeon at a hearing before the worker's compensation board if the statement meets the requirements of subsection (f) (g). If the physician or surgeon fails or refuses to furnish the employer or the employer's representative with such statement thirty (30) days before the hearing, then the statement may not be submitted as evidence, and the physician or surgeon shall not be permitted to testify before the worker's compensation board as to any facts learned in such examination. All of the requirements of this subsection apply to all subsequent examinations made by a physician or surgeon engaged by the employee.
    (f) (g) All statements of physicians or surgeons required by this section, whether those engaged by employee or employer, shall contain the following information:
        (1) The history of the injury, or claimed injury, as given by the patient.
        (2) The diagnosis of the physician or surgeon concerning the patient's physical or mental condition.
        (3) The opinion of the physician or surgeon concerning the causal relationship, if any, between the injury and the patient's physical or mental condition, including the physician's or surgeon's reasons for the opinion.
        (4) The opinion of the physician or surgeon concerning whether the injury or claimed injury resulted in a disability or impairment and, if so, the opinion of the physician or surgeon concerning the extent of the disability or impairment and the reasons for the opinion.
        (5) The original signature of the physician or surgeon.
Notwithstanding any hearsay objection, the worker's compensation board shall admit into evidence a statement that meets the requirements of this subsection unless the statement is ruled inadmissible on other grounds.
    (g) (h) Delivery of any statement required by this section may be made to the attorney or agent of the employer or employee and such an

action shall be construed as delivery to the employer or employee.
    (h) (i) Any party may object to a statement on the basis that the statement does not meet the requirements of subsection (e) (f). The objecting party must give written notice to the party providing the statement and specify the basis for the objection. Notice of the objection must be given no later than twenty (20) days before the hearing. Failure to object as provided in this subsection precludes any further objection as to the adequacy of the statement under subsection (f) (g).
    (i) (j) The employer upon proper application, or the worker's compensation board, shall have the right in any case of death to require an autopsy at the expense of the party requesting the same. If, after a hearing, the board orders an autopsy and the autopsy is refused by the surviving spouse or next of kin, in this event any claim for compensation on account of the death shall be suspended and abated during the refusal. The surviving spouse or dependent must be served with a notice setting forth the consequences of the refusal under this subsection. The notice must be in a form prescribed by the worker's compensation board. No autopsy, except one performed by or on the authority or order of the coroner in discharge of the coroner's duties, shall be held in any case by any person without notice first being given to the surviving spouse or next of kin, if they reside in Indiana or their whereabouts can reasonably be ascertained, of the time and place thereof, and reasonable time and opportunity shall be given such surviving spouse or next of kin to have a representative or representatives present to witness same. However, if such notice is not given, all evidence obtained by the autopsy shall be suspended on motion duly made to the board.

SOURCE: IC 22-3-2-8; (00)IN1050.1.16. -->     SECTION 16. IC 22-3-2-8 IS REPEALED [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2000].