2011 Alaska Statutes
Title 23. LABOR AND WORKERS' COMPENSATION
Chapter 23.30. ALASKA WORKERS' COMPENSATION ACT
Sec. 23.30.108. Prehearings on discovery matters; objections to requests for release of information; sanctions for noncompliance.

(a) If an employee objects to a request for written authority under AS 23.30.107 , the employee must file a petition with the board seeking a protective order within 14 days after service of the request. If the employee fails to file a petition and fails to deliver the written authority as required by AS 23.30.107 within 14 days after service of the request, the employee's rights to benefits under this chapter are suspended until the written authority is delivered.

(b) If a petition seeking a protective order is filed, the board shall set a prehearing within 21 days after the filing date of the petition. At a prehearing conducted by the board's designee, the board's designee has the authority to resolve disputes concerning the written authority. If the board or the board's designee orders delivery of the written authority and if the employee refuses to deliver it within 10 days after being ordered to do so, the employee's rights to benefits under this chapter are suspended until the written authority is delivered. During any period of suspension under this subsection, the employee's benefits under this chapter are forfeited unless the board, or the court determining an action brought for the recovery of damages under this chapter, determines that good cause existed for the refusal to provide the written authority.

(c) At a prehearing on discovery matters conducted by the board's designee, the board's designee shall direct parties to sign releases or produce documents, or both, if the parties present releases or documents that are likely to lead to admissible evidence relative to an employee's injury. If a party refuses to comply with an order by the board's designee or the board concerning discovery matters, the board may impose appropriate sanctions in addition to any forfeiture of benefits, including dismissing the party's claim, petition, or defense. If a discovery dispute comes before the board for review of a determination by the board's designee, the board may not consider any evidence or argument that was not presented to the board's designee, but shall determine the issue solely on the basis of the written record. The decision by the board on a discovery dispute shall be made within 30 days. The board shall uphold the designee's decision except when the board's designee's determination is an abuse of discretion.

(d) If the employee files a petition seeking a protective order to recover medical and rehabilitation information that has been provided but is not related to the employee's injury, and the board or the board's designee grants the protective order, the board or the board's designee granting the protective order shall direct the division, the board, the commission, and the parties to return to the employee, as soon as practicable following the issuance of the protective order, all medical and rehabilitation information, including copies, in their possession that is unrelated to the employee's injury under the protective order.

(e) If the board or the board's designee limits the medical or rehabilitation information that may be used by the parties to a claim, either by an order on the record or by issuing a written order, the division, the board, the commission, and a party to the claim may request and an employee shall provide or authorize the production of medical or rehabilitation information only to the extent of the limitations of the order. If information has been produced that is outside of the limits designated in the order, the board or the board's designee shall direct the party in possession of the information to return the information to the employee as soon as practicable following the issuance of the order.