New Jersey Administrative Code
Title 12 - LABOR AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Chapter 18 - TEMPORARY DISABILITY BENEFITS
Appendix - APPENDIX

Universal Citation: NJ Admin Code

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 18, September 16, 2024

CHAPTER 12A

PRIVATE PLAN TEMPORARY DISABILITY AND PRIVATE PLAN FAMILY LEAVE INSURANCE CASES

CHAPTER AUTHORITY:

34:1A-3(e), 43:21-6(d) through (f), 43:21-10, 43:21-17, 43:21-25 et seq., and 52:14F-5(e), (f) and (g).

CHAPTER SOURCE AND EFFECTIVE DATE:

R.2011 d.204, effective July 8, 2011.

See: 42 N.J.R. 2170(a), 43 N.J.R. 1861(a).

CHAPTER EXPIRATION DATE:

Chapter 12A, Private Plan Temporary Disability and Private Plan Family Leave Insurance Cases, expires on July 8, 2018.

CHAPTER TABLE OF CONTENTS

SUBCHAPTER 1. HEARING APPLICABILITY

1:12A-1.1 Applicability

SUBCHAPTER 2. DEFINITIONS

1:12A-2.1 Definitions

SUBCHAPTERS 3 AND 4. (RESERVED)

SUBCHAPTER 5. REPRESENTATION

1:12A-5.1 Representation

SUBCHAPTERS 6 THROUGH 8. (RESERVED)

SUBCHAPTER 9. SCHEDULING

1:12A-9.1 Informal hearing

1:12A-9.2 Notice of formal hearing

SUBCHAPTER 10. DISCOVERY

1:12A-10.1 Inspection of records

SUBCHAPTER 11. SUBPOENAS

1:12A-11.1 Issuance of subpoenas

1:12A-11.2 Witness fees

SUBCHAPTERS 12 AND 13. (RESERVED)

SUBCHAPTER 14. CONDUCT OF CASES

1:12A-14.1 Conduct of hearings

1:12A-14.2 Dismissal of complaint

SUBCHAPTER 15. DECISIONS

1:12A-15.1 Rendition of decision

1:12A-15.2 Correction of determination

SUBCHAPTER 1. HEARING APPLICABILITY

1:12A-1.1 Applicability

The rules in this chapter shall apply to private plan temporary disability and private plan family leave insurance cases heard by hearing officers of the Department of Labor and Workforce Development pursuant to 43:21-50(a) (see also N.J.A.C. 12:18). State plan temporary disability and State plan family leave insurance cases shall be heard by the Board of Review pursuant to 43:21-50(b), in accordance with N.J.A.C. 1:12.

SUBCHAPTER 2. DEFINITIONS

1:12A-2.1 Definitions

The following words and terms, as used in this chapter, shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Act" means the Temporary Disability Benefits Law, 43:21-25 et seq.

"Division" means the Division of Unemployment Insurance or the Division of Temporary Disability Insurance in the Department of Labor and Workforce Development.

"Hearing officer" means the individual assigned to hear and decide appeals concerning private plan temporary disability and private plan family leave insurance benefits. In so doing, the hearing officer acts as agency head.

SUBCHAPTERS 3 AND 4. (RESERVED)

SUBCHAPTER 5. REPRESENTATION

1:12A-5.1 Representation

A party may represent himself or herself or may be represented by an attorney or a non-lawyer representative pursuant to R. 1:21-1(f)(11). Representation by an attorney shall be at the party's expense. Representation by a non-lawyer representative shall comply with 1:1-5.4.

SUBCHAPTERS 6 THROUGH 8. (RESERVED)

SUBCHAPTER 9. SCHEDULING

1:12A-9.1 Informal hearing

After the filing of a complaint, the Division shall conduct such investigations and informal hearings as may be necessary to determine the facts and settle the issues and, pending a disposition, a formal hearing shall not be scheduled.

1:12A-9.2 Notice of formal hearing

(a) If the issues raised by the complaint are not otherwise settled, they shall be referred to a hearing officer, who shall afford the interested parties thereto a reasonable opportunity for a full, fair and impartial hearing, in accordance with the procedure required under this chapter.

(b) Written notices of the time and place of any hearing shall be given to the claimant and employer, or their authorized representatives, insurer or organization paying benefits, and all other parties in interest at least five days before the date of hearing, but a shorter notice may be given if not prejudicial to the parties.

(c) A party to whom a notice of appeal has been sent shall be ready and present with all evidence and necessary witnesses at the time and place specified and shall be prepared to dispose of all issues and questions involved in the proceeding.

(d) A notice of hearing may be served personally or by certified or registered mail or by telegram upon a party or his or her duly authorized representative.

SUBCHAPTER 10. DISCOVERY

1:12A-10.1 Inspection of records

(a) Orders for the production or inspection of records of the Division may be issued in any proceeding before the hearing officer, but only to the extent necessary for the purpose of the proceeding and to enable any party to the proceeding to fully discharge his or her obligation or safeguard his or her rights under the Act.

(b) A request for the production or inspection of records shall be addressed to the hearing officer, and shall state clearly the nature of the information desired and the reason therefor. The hearing officer may determine whether or not the request shall be granted and, if granted, inspection of the records may be allowed or a copy of the records furnished.

SUBCHAPTER 11. SUBPOENAS

1:12A-11.1 Issuance of subpoenas

(a) The hearing officer shall have the power to administer oaths, take depositions, and issue subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of books, papers, correspondence, memoranda and other records.

(b) Subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses or production of records shall be issued by the hearing officer only upon the showing of the necessity therefor by the party applying for the issuance of such subpoena.

1:12A-11.2 Witness fees

(a) Witness fees at the rate of $ 1.00 for each day of attendance upon a hearing in response to a subpoena to testify and mileage at the rate of $ 0.25 per mile from the residence of the witness to the place of hearing and return, shall be paid upon presentation of a voucher signed by the individual entitled thereto and properly certified by a member of the hearing officer before whom the individual appeared as a witness.

(b) Witness fees at the rate of $ 2.00 for each day of attendance upon a hearing in response to a subpoena duces tecum and mileage at the rate of $ 0.25 per mile from the residence of the witness to the place of hearing and return, shall be paid upon the presentation of a voucher signed by the individual entitled thereto and properly certified by the hearing officer before whom the individual appeared as a witness.

SUBCHAPTERS 12 AND 13. (RESERVED)

SUBCHAPTER 14. CONDUCT OF CASES

1:12A-14.1 Conduct of hearings

(a) The hearing before the hearing officer shall be conducted in such order and manner as may provide a fair and impartial hearing to ascertain the facts and determine the rights of parties.

(b) At such hearing, evidence exclusive of ex parte affidavits may be produced by any party, but the hearing officer shall not be bound by the rules of evidence.

(c) The hearing officer shall open the hearing by ascertaining the facts and summarizing the issues involved on the record.

(d) Any individual who is a party, or an attorney or non-attorney representing a party, may examine or cross-examine witnesses, inspect documents and explain or rebut any evidence. The hearing officer may examine each party or witness to such extent as he or she deems necessary.

(e) Any number of proceedings before the hearing officer may be consolidated for the purpose of hearing when the facts and circumstances are similar in nature and the rights of any party will not be prejudiced thereby. Notice of such consolidation shall be given to the parties or their representatives.

(f) All testimony at a hearing shall be under oath or affirmation and recorded, but need not be transcribed unless the order on the disputed claim is to be reviewed.

(g) The hearing officer may take additional evidence as he or she deems necessary, provided the parties shall be given proper notice of the time and place of hearing.

(h) The parties may stipulate the facts and issues involved and based thereon the hearing officer may make a determination and an order disposing of the issues which shall be final and binding.

1:12A-14.2 Dismissal of complaint

(a) After due notice of the time and place of hearing or an adjourned hearing, if any party fails or neglects to appear, the issues may be decided upon the basis of the evidence available, the complaint may be dismissed or evidence may be taken from the parties and witnesses appearing and the case disposed of in accordance with such evidence. A complaint may be dismissed for failure to prosecute without good cause within a reasonable time. All parties shall be notified of the dismissal and the reasons therefor.

(b) Any complaint dismissed by reason of the failure to appear at a scheduled hearing or failure to prosecute may be reconsidered by the hearing officer provided good cause is shown for such failure and an application for reopening the proceeding is made within 10 days after mailing or notification of the order of dismissal.

(c) A pending complaint, with the approval of the hearing officer, may be withdrawn by the complainant, in writing, or orally at the time of hearing. All parties to the proceeding shall be notified of the withdrawal.

SUBCHAPTER 15. DECISIONS

1:12A-15.1 Rendition of decision

(a) Upon the completion of any hearing, the hearing officer shall promptly make a determination of facts, and a signed written order disposing of the issues presented, which shall be final and binding on the claimant, the employer, the insurer, the organization paying benefits and all other parties. The decision shall set forth a statement of the facts involved, the reasons and the order.

(b) A copy of such order shall be served upon each of the parties or their duly authorized representatives by registered mail, addressed to his or her last known address.

(c) The order of the hearing officer shall be final and benefits paid or denied in accordance with the order.

(d) Any appeal of the order shall be in accordance with the Rules of Court.

1:12A-15.2 Correction of determination

On application duly made or on his or her own motion, the hearing officer may revise a determination of facts and the order, for the purpose of correcting clerical or typographic errors.

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