1. A. As used in these rules, unless otherwise indicated the following words shall have the following meanings.

   1. Assistant Secretarysynonymous with Director
   2. Boundshall refer to binding by ringed binder, or other means. Bound shall not include staples, spiral binding, or binding with rubber band.
   3. Claimantshall refer to the injured employee.
   4. Courtthe Office of Workers' Compensation court within the Office of Workers' Compensation Administration of Louisiana Works.
   5. Directorthe appointing authority of the Office of Workers' Compensation Administration of Louisiana Works.
   6. E-mailelectronic mail.
   7. Judgea workers' compensation judge.
   8. Judicial Districtas referred to in R.S. 1310.4, any of the 10 locations of a workers’ compensation district office, i.e. Shreveport, Monroe, Alexandria, Lake Charles, Lafayette, Baton Rouge, Covington, New Orleans, Harahan, Houma, and the parishes each encompass.
   9. Mediatora workers' compensation mediator.
   10. Officethe Office of Workers' Compensation Administration of Louisiana Works.
   11. Petitionershall, as the context requires, mean the employer, the insurance carrier, the group self-insurance fund, the health care provider, claimant, or a dependent of a claimant.
   12. Virtuala court proceeding that takes place through a video conferencing system or platform.

Authority Note

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 23:1310.1.

Historical Note

HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Labor, Office of Workers' Compensation Administration, LR 25:264 (February 1999), amended LR 25:1859 (October 1999), LR 33:652 (April 2007), amended by the Louisiana Workforce Commission, Office of Workers’ Compensation Administration, LR 37:1626 (June 2011), amended by Louisiana Works, Office of Workers’ Compensation Administration, LR 51:1617 (October 2025).