90- 351 C.M.R. ch. 13, § 3

Current through 2024-51, December 18, 2024
Section 351-13-3 - Appeal to the Appellate Division
1.Time for Filing

A party shall file a Notice of Intent to Appeal (WCB-240) an Administrative Law Judge's decision with the clerk of the division within 20 days after the latest of:

A. Receipt of notice of the Administrative Law Judge decision;
B. If an Administrative Law Judge amends a decision and that amendment materially affects the issue(s) on appeal, receipt of notice of an amended Administrative Law Judge decision; or
C. If a motion for findings of fact and conclusions of law has been filed pursuant to 39-A M.R.S.A. §318, receipt of notice of the Administrative Law Judge's ruling on the motion.

If, after a party files a Notice of Intent to Appeal under this section, a different party seeks review of a different issue than the issue(s) identified for appeal in the first notice, that party may file a Notice of Intent to Appeal within the 20-day period provided in paragraphs A-C, or within 14 days after the date the first notice was filed, whichever is later.

If both a Notice of Intent to Appeal and a motion for findings of fact and conclusions of law are filed within 20 days after receipt of notice of a decision by an Administrative Law Judge pursuant to 39-A M.R.S.A. §318, the division shall stay action on the Notice of Intent to Appeal until the Administrative Law Judge rules on the motion. The appellant shall notify the division no later than 10 days after receipt of notice of the ruling on the motion whether the appellant will pursue the appeal.

For purposes of this chapter, "decision" means a final decision issued by an Administrative Law Judge that fully disposes of the matters pending before the Administrative Law Judge. "Decision" does not include interlocutory or non-final decisions including, but not limited to, provisional orders.

2.Filing

A party shall file a Notice of Intent to Appeal with the division and identify the issue(s) being appealed. The filing date is the date the Notice of Intent to Appeal is received at the appellate division or at any of the Board's Regional Offices. Receipt may include receipt by e-mail, provided the original is sent by U.S. mail or other carrier on or before the due date. The appealing party shall include a copy of the decision being appealed, and shall indicate on form WCB-240 that the transcript of the relevant hearing(s) will be ordered or has already been prepared.

3.Service

A party that files a Notice of Intent to Appeal shall serve a copy of the notice to the attorney or advocate of record of each party, or if a party is unrepresented, to the party at that party's last known address.

4.Multiple Appeals

Unless otherwise agreed upon by the parties, when more than one party has appealed, the party who appeals first is deemed the appellant for the purposes of this chapter.

5.Dismissal of Appeals
A.Withdrawal of appeal

Upon receipt of a written stipulation of the parties withdrawing an appeal, the clerk of the division shall dismiss the appeal. If the parties do not agree to withdraw an appeal, an appeal may be withdrawn only by permission of the panel acting through the presiding judge.

B.Failure to perfect appeal

Dismissals for failure to perfect appeal are as follows:

i. Upon a motion of a party and a showing of substantial prejudice, the panel acting through the presiding judge may dismiss a timely filed appeal if the appellant fails to:
a. Provide a copy of the decision; or
b. Serve the parties as provided in §3.3;
ii. Upon a motion of a party or at the initiative of the panel acting through the presiding judge, the division may dismiss an appeal if an appellant fails to comply with §4.1; or
iii. Upon a motion of a party or at the initiative of the panel acting through the presiding judge, the division may dismiss an appeal if an appellant fails to comply with § 5.
C.Settlement

If the parties agree to settle a case pending before the division, the appellant shall notify the division, which shall stay action on the appeal. The appellant shall notify the division within 10 days after the board approves the settlement and the clerk of the division shall dismiss the appeal.

D.Failure to guarantee payment

If, after 60 days' notice to the appellant that a guarantee of payment for preparation of the transcript is required, the appellant fails to guarantee payment or request a waiver of payment of costs pursuant to §4 (1-A), the panel acting through the presiding judge may dismiss the appeal.

90- 351 C.M.R. ch. 13, § 3