39-71-2406. Purpose. The purpose of this part is to prevent when possible the filing in the workers' compensation court of actions by claimants or insurers relating to claims under chapter 71 or 72 of this title if an equitable and reasonable resolution of the dispute may be effected at an earlier stage. To achieve this purpose, this part provides for a procedure for mandatory, nonbinding mediation. It is the intent of this part that the mediation process be used to resolve cases on an informal basis at minimal cost to the parties, and to this end, the parties are required to fully present their cases at the mediation level. However, if a cause proceeds to the workers' compensation court, the parties are not precluded from presenting additional evidence before the court. If a new issue is raised at the workers' compensation court that was not raised at mediation, the court shall remand the issue to the mediator for consideration.

     History: En. Sec. 52, Ch. 464, L. 1987; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 427, L. 1989.