Injured workers required to consult about their injuries with a doctor or in a hospital must submit a request for travel reimbursement from their workers' compensation insurance carrier within one year, according to a new rule adopted by the State Industrial Commission.
The new requirement is part of a travel allowance and per diem rule the commission has that covers under what circumstances injured workers will be reimbursed.Another new section provides that travel allowances won't be paid for picking up prescriptions unless the injured worker documents the prescriptions cannot be obtained in his community.
Adoption of the rule came despite the objection of Jinks Dabney, an attorney who represents injured workers before the commission. Dabney said 95 percent of the injured workers in Utah don't need an attorney and therefore won't be aware of the one-year time limit.
Dabney believes the commission has created a problem for itself because of the confusion caused by a lack of communication.
Commissioner Dixie Minson said she has a responsibility to file her income taxes every April 15 and injured workers should develop a similar responsibility for deadlines. She wants to make certain the one-year limitation is explained on some forms injured workers receive.
A year-year limitation seems reasonable, said Commissioner Tom Carlson.