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EFFECTIVE DATES OF SIGNIFICANT CHANGES IN THE WORKERS’ COMPENSATION ACT
| Subject Statute | (39 M.R.S.A.) | P.L. | Eff. Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 66-2/3% ceiling | 54, 55, 58 | 65, c. 408 | 11/30/65 |
| PI of back, neck, etc. | 56-A | 71, c. 465 | 09/23/71 |
| PI Increase | 56 | 71, c. 318 | 09/23/71 |
| Partial disability - 325 weeks | 55 | 71, c. 386 | 01/01/72 |
| Inflation protection | 54, 55, 58 | 71, c. 225 | 10/03/73 |
| "By accident" deleted | 52 | 73, c. 289 | 10/03/73 |
| PI Scarring $5M to $7.5M | 56 | 73, c. 392 | 11/30/73 |
| Partial disability - unlimited | 55 | 73, c. 531 | 06/28/74 |
| Mandatory law | 51 | 73, c. 746 | 11/29/74 |
| Waiting Period (7 to 3) | 53 | 73, c. 557 | 12/01/74 |
| 100% ceiling | 54, 55, 58 | 73, c. 788 | 07/01/77 |
| 133-1/3% ceiling | 54, 55, 58 | 75, c. 493 1 | 07/01/79 |
| 166-2/3% ceiling | 54, 55, 58 | 75, c. 493 1 | 07/01/81 |
| 200% ceiling | 54, 55, 58 | 75, c. 493 1 | 09/14/792 |
| Unemployment set-off | 62-A5 | 75, c. 493 1 | 06/22/81 |
| Repeal of 200% ceiling to 166-2/3% | 54, 55, 58 | 79, c. 496 | 07/01/834 |
| Inflation on anniversary | 54, 55, 58 | 81, c. 4833 | 09/23/832 |
| Chiropractic services expanded | 52 | 83, c. 479 | 09/23/83 |
| Independent Contractor | 2(5) (A) (2) | 83, c. 158 | 01/01/84 |
| Early pay-informal conference | 51-B, 94-B | 83, c. 402 | 01/01/84 |
| No attorney fees until one week post informal conference | 110 | 83, c. 479 | 06/30/855 |
| Maximum benefit frozen at $447.92 until 7/1/88 | 53-A | 83, c. 479 | 06/30/855 |
| 5% inflation cap | 54-A, 55-A, 58-A | 85, c. 372 | 06/30/855 |
| PI based on SAWW | 56, 56-A | 85, c. 372 | 06/30/855 |
| S.S. coordination of benefits | 62-B | 85, c. 372 | 06/30/855 |
| Attorney fees/prevail only | 103-B, 103-C, 110 | 85, c. 372 | 06/30/855 |
| Mini-Miranda rule changed | 112, 112-A | 85, c. 372 | 09/19/85 |
| New discrimination remedies | 111 | 85, c. 118 | 09/19/85 |
| Agriculture exemption (4-6) | 2, 4, 21-A | 85, c. 249 | 01/01/865 |
| Vocational rehabilitation | 66-A, 81, 90 | 85, c. 372 | 06/30/855 |
| Maximum benefit freeze at $447.92 extended to 8/1/88 | 53-A | 87, c. 156 | 09/29/872 |
| Mental stress limited | 51(3) | 87, c. 252 | 11/20/875 |
| Annual adjustments - 3rd anniversary | 54-B | 87, c. 559 | 11/20/875 |
Total Incapacity/MMI/full-time work ability |
54-B | 87, c. 559 | 11/20/875 |
| Partial incapacity/400-week limitation from MMI | 55-B | 87, c. 559 | 11/20/875 |
| Permanent Impairment/whole man Ratings | 56-B | 87, c. 559 | 11/20/875 |
| Provisional suspension orders | 100(4) | 87, c. 559 | 11/20/875 |
| New rehabilitation program | 89, c. 580 | 11/20/875 | |
| Partial incapacity limited to 520 weeks of benefits, including total | 55-B | 91, c. 615 | 10/17/915 |
| Office of Medical Coordination | 122 | 91, c. 615 | 10/17/915 |
| Independent Medical Examiner | 92-A | 91, c. 615 | 10/17/915 |
| Automatic discontinuance or reduction | 100-4A | 91, c. 615 | 10/17/915 |
| Permanent impairment benefits reduced by amount of total and partial benefits | 56-B | 91, c. 615 | 10/17/915 |
1. Bernard v. Cives, 395 A.2d, 1141 (Me. 1978) eff. for injuries on or after
10/01/75 each ceiling increase is phased in at two‑year intervals.
2. Legislation does not specify whether provision is effective for new injuries
only.
3. Terry v. St. Regis, 459 A.2d, 1106 (Me. 1983) 200% maximum still applies
for injuries between 10/01/75 and 06/21/81.
4. Injuries prior to this date receive adjustment annually on July 1st.
5. Injuries on or after this date.