Maine Revised Statutes Title 39-A. Workers' Compensation § 320. Review by full board

An administrative law judge may request that the full board review a decision of the administrative law judge if the decision involves an issue that is of significance to the operation of the workers' compensation system. Except when a motion is filed to find the facts specially and state separately the conclusions of law, the request must be made within 25 days of the issuance of a decision. If a motion is filed to find the facts specially and state separately the conclusions of law, the request must be made within 5 days of the issuance of a decision on the motion. There may be no such review of findings of fact made by an administrative law judge.

If an administrative law judge asks for review, the time for appeal is stayed and no further action may be taken until a decision of the board has been made. If the board reviews a decision of an administrative law judge, any appeal must be from the decision of the board and must be made to the Law Court in accordance with section 322. The time for appeal begins upon the board's issuance of a written decision on the merits of the case or written notice that the board denies review.

The board shall vote on whether to review the decision. If a majority of the board's membership fails to vote to grant review or the board fails to act within 60 days after receiving the initial request for review, the decision of the administrative law judge stands, and any appeal must be made to the division in accordance with section 321-B. If the board votes to review the decision, the board may delegate responsibility for reviewing the decision of the administrative law judge under this section to panels of board members consisting of equal numbers of representatives of labor and management. Review must be on the record and on written briefs only. Upon a vote of a majority of the board's membership, the board shall issue a written decision affirming, remanding, vacating or modifying the administrative law judge's decision. The written decision of the board must be filed with the board and mailed to the parties or their counsel. If the board fails to adopt a decision by majority vote, the decision of the administrative law judge stands and is subject to direct appellate review in the same manner as if the board had not voted to review the decision.