DWC Deadlines to Resume for Hurricane-Affected Counties
The Commissioner of Texas Workers’ Compensation announced that the agency will reinstate deadlines for counties affected by Hurricane Harvey effective January 1, 2018.
In Commissioner’s Bulletin No. B-0042-17, DWC Commissioner Ryan Brannan wrote:
Having determined that it is now practical and in the best interests of the workers’ compensation system to resume normal claims processing and dispute resolution operations, NOTICE IS GIVEN that tolling of deadlines for workers’ compensation procedures specified in Bulletin No. B-0020-17 will be lifted, effective January 10, 2018. On this date, all standard workers’ compensation deadlines and procedures will go back into effect.
The effect of the lifting of the tolling period means that the “clock” for completing a procedure or making a required filing will resume “ticking” on the effective date the tolling period is lifted. Although the tolling period is lifted effective January 10, 2018, it is the continuing expectation of TDI-DWC that insurance carriers will continue to provide efficient and timely services to injured employees, health care providers, and policyholders and not extend medical and income benefit payment timeframes unless the extension is absolutely necessary.
The original Bulletin suspending deadlines can be referenced here.
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