1. A. A hearing on any Pro Se Settlement may be conducted by any virtual means assigned by the court when requested by the parties.
2. B. The parties may request a Pro Se Settlement Hearing via virtual means if all parties consent to conducting the Pro Se Settlement Hearing via virtual means, or for good cause shown.

3. C. Jurisdiction for hearing.

   1. 1. For cases that are docketed and pending in a workers’ compensation court at the time a party requests a Pro Se Settlement Hearing by virtual means, the request for hearing shall be filed in the court in which the case is pending; however, upon agreement of the parties and the presiding judge, the matter may be heard in any workers’ compensation court.
   2. 2. For undocketed settlements, the hearing shall be scheduled in a court agreed upon by the parties. If the parties are unable to agree on the court in which an undocketed settlement will be heard, the hearing shall be scheduled in any court in which venue would be appropriate.
4. D. To request a virtual Pro Se Settlement Hearing, the party shall contact the district office in which the hearing is to be scheduled. Contact may be made by phone, facsimile, or email transmission to the district office in which the hearing is to be scheduled. Upon scheduling the virtual hearing, the court will notify the parties of the date and time of the hearing. A virtual hearing is not considered to be on the docket until the parties have received a confirmation from the court that the matter is scheduled.
5. E. Any pleadings and exhibits that will be introduced at a virtual hearing must be received by the court at least one full business day prior to the hearing. Failure to abide by this section may result in the proceeding being continued.
6. F. Prior to the scheduled Pro Se Settlement Hearing, the parties shall make sure they are able to use the virtual means used by the court. Each participant shall have a device with a microphone, camera, and internet access.
7. G. The parties attending the Pro Se Settlement Hearing shall ensure that at the time of the hearing they are in a location that is free from distractions, excessive noise, or echoes.
8. H. Should any participant in a virtual hearing have any difficulty with audibility or technology during a remote proceeding, the participant shall call the court in which the case is pending to advise of the same. All Notices of Hearing shall include the phone number for the court in which a virtual hearing is scheduled.
9. I. Any recording of a court proceeding held by video or teleconference, including “screen-shots” or other visual copying of a hearing, is strictly prohibited. Workers’ compensation proceedings are confidential, and the participants in a virtual hearing shall ensure that they are in a location that provides appropriate privacy and security to avoid any violations of confidentiality. Violation of these prohibitions may result in sanctions, denial of entry to future hearings, or any other sanctions deemed necessary by the court.

Authority Note

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

Historical Note

HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by Louisiana Works, Office of Workers’ Compensation Administration, LR 51:1623 (October 2025).