§306. Time for filing petitions
1. Statute of limitations. Except as provided in this section, a petition brought under this Act is barred unless filed within 2 years after the date of injury or the date the employee's employer files a required first report of injury if required in section 303, whichever is later.
[PL 2011, c. 647, §18 (AMD).]
2. Payment of benefits. If an employer or insurer pays benefits under this Act, with or without prejudice, within the period provided in subsection 1, the period during which an employee or other interested party must file a petition is 6 years from the date of the most recent payment.
A. The provision of medical care for an injury or illness by or under the supervision of a health care provider employed by, or under contract with, the employer is a payment of benefits with respect to that injury or illness if:
(1) Care was provided for that injury or illness on 6 or more occasions in the 12-month period after the initial treatment; and
(2) The employer or the health care provider knew or should have known that the injury or illness was work-related.
For the purposes of this paragraph, "health care provider" has the same meaning as provided in rules of the board. [PL 2001, c. 435, §1 (NEW); PL 2001, c. 435, §2 (AFF).]
[PL 2001, c. 435, §1 (AMD); PL 2001, c. 435, §2 (AFF).]
3. Establishment of injury. If the occurrence of a work-related injury is established by board decree, mediation report or agreement of the parties without the payment of benefits as provided in subsection 2, the period during which an employee or other interested party may file a petition is 6 years from the date of that decree, report or agreement.
[PL 1999, c. 354, §6 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 354, §10 (AFF).]
4. Physical or mental incapacity. If an employee is unable to file a petition because of physical or mental incapacity, the period of that incapacity is not included in the limitation period provided in subsection 1.
[PL 1999, c. 354, §6 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 354, §10 (AFF).]
5. Mistake of fact. If an employee fails to file a petition within the limitation period provided in subsection 1 because of mistake of fact as to the cause or nature of the injury, the employee may file a petition within a reasonable time, subject to the 6-year limitation provided in subsection 2.
[PL 1999, c. 354, §6 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 354, §10 (AFF).]
6. Death of employee. If an employee dies as a result of a work-related injury, a petition is barred unless filed within one year after the death or 2 years from the date of injury, whichever is later, but in any event not later than 6 years from the date of last payment.
[PL 1999, c. 354, §6 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 354, §10 (AFF).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 1991, c. 885, §A8 (NEW). PL 1991, c. 885, §§A9-11 (AFF). PL 1999, c. 354, §6 (RPR). PL 1999, c. 354, §10 (AFF). PL 2001, c. 435, §1 (AMD). PL 2001, c. 435, §2 (AFF). PL 2011, c. 647, §18 (AMD).
Structure Maine Revised Statutes
TITLE 39-A: WORKERS' COMPENSATION
Part 1: MAINE WORKERS' COMPENSATION ACT OF 1992
Subchapter 1: BOARD PROCEEDINGS
39-A §301. Notice of injury within 90 days
39-A §302. Sufficiency of notice; knowledge of employer; extension of time for notice
39-A §305. Petition for award; protective decree
39-A §306. Time for filing petitions
39-A §307. Procedure for filing petitions; no response required; mediation
39-A §309. Subpoenas; evidence; discovery
39-A §311. Inadmissible statements
39-A §312. Independent medical examiners
39-A §313. Procedure upon notice of controversy or other indication of controversy; mediation
39-A §315. Time and place of formal hearing
39-A §316. Guardians and other representatives for minors and incompetents
39-A §317. Appearance by authorized officer, employee or advocate
39-A §318. Hearing and decision
39-A §319. Petition for reopening
39-A §320. Review by full board
39-A §321. Reopening for mistake of fact or fraud
39-A §321-A. Appellate Division
39-A §321-B. Appeal from administrative law judge decision
39-A §322. Appeal from decision of appellate division or board
39-A §323. Enforcement of board decision
39-A §324. Compensation payments; penalty
39-A §325. Costs; attorney's fees allowable
39-A §326. Death of petitioner
39-A §327. When employee killed or unable to testify
39-A §328-A. Communicable disease contracted by emergency rescue or public safety worker
39-A §328-B. Cancer suffered by a firefighter
39-A §328-C. Heart disease or hypertension suffered by certain employees