N.J. Admin. Code § 12:235-3.13 - Orders approving settlement reached pursuant to N.J.S.A 34:15-20

(a) A settlement agreement reached pursuant to N.J.S.A. 34:15-20 ("Section 20 settlement") may be approved by a judge of compensation when:

1. The petitioner is represented by counsel;

2. The case involves contested issues of jurisdiction, liability, causal relationship and/or dependency; and

3. The settlement is determined to be fair and just under the circumstances.

(b) A Section 20 settlement shall have the force and effect of a dismissal of the petitioner's claim and a complete surrender by the petitioner of any future right to compensation or benefits arising out of the injuries, conditions or exposures encompassed in the claim petition.

(c) A Section 20 settlement shall not be a waiver of future dependency claims in the event that the petitioner's death occurs as a result of the injuries, conditions or exposures encompassed by petitioner's claim petition unless:

1. The petitioner's dependents (as defined in N.J.S.A. 34:15-13) join in a waiver of future dependency benefits.

i. A parent, other than the petitioner, shall ordinarily represent the interests of petitioner's dependent minor children residing in that parent's household. The judge of compensation shall determine whether circumstances dictate that a representative other than a parent is necessary for any dependents for the purposes of a Section 20 proceeding.

(d) A petitioner's acceptance of a Section 20 settlement and a dependent's waiver of dependency benefits shall be given knowingly, intelligently and voluntarily. The judge of compensation shall explain on the record the preclusive effect the Section 20 settlement shall have on the petitioner's claim and on any future dependency claims, except as provided in (e) below.

(e) A petitioner's acceptance of a Section 20 settlement and any waiver of future dependency claims shall occur on the record of the Section 20 settlement proceeding unless the judge of compensation determines that sufficient circumstances preclude the appearance of the petitioner, a dependent and/or representative. In such case, an affidavit executed by such petitioner, dependent and/or representative shall be submitted. The affidavit must contain all of the facts to which the petitioner, dependent and/or representative would be required to testify if present in court.

(f) A Section 20 settlement shall encompass all injuries, conditions or exposures set forth in the petitioner's claim petition unless the parties amend the claim petition at the Section 20 settlement proceeding and specifically set forth any amendments to the claim petition on the settlement form. Where intended, the parties shall specifically set forth that the claim petition and settlement includes latent or unknown consequences of the alleged injuries, conditions or exposures.

Notes

N.J. Admin. Code § 12:235-3.13

New Rule, R.2000 d.128, effective 3/20/2000.
See: 31 N.J.R. 3916(a), 32 N.J.R. 1028(a).
Recodified from N.J.A.C. 12:235-3.11 by R.2009 d.299, effective 10/5/2009.
See: 41 N.J.R. 1935(a), 41 N.J.R. 3807(a).
Former N.J.A.C. 12:235-3.13, Interpreters, recodified to N.J.A.C. 12:235-3.15.