[Adopted 5-9-1994 by Ord. No. 870 (Ch. 1, Part 1D, of the 2006 Code of Ordinances)]
This article is enacted to establish local procedure by which claims under the Heart and Lung Act, 53 P.S. § 637 et seq. are required to be initiated and pursued according to recent court decision of Sidlow v. Nether Providence Township, 153 Pa.Cmwlth. 380, 621 A.2d. 1105 (1993); and to appoint a referee to decide such claims pursuant to the Borough Code, § 1005(1), 8 Pa.C.S.A. § 1005(1), which enables Borough Council to create and appoint by ordinance officers as it deems necessary.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meaning indicated, unless a difference in meaning clearly appears from the context:
CLAIM
Request to the Borough of Folcroft for benefits under the Act.
CLAIMANT
A Borough employee who is identified by the Heart and Lung Act as a recipient.
HEARING
Once a petition is filed, the Heart and Lung Act Referee will schedule a hearing(s) wherein the claimant and the Borough will submit their case in chief, including medical reports and witness testimony.
HEART AND LUNG ACT
Refers to legislation under 53 P. S. § 637 et seq.
INJURY REPORT
Form to be completed upon initially injuring oneself which are available at the Borough Secretary's office.
NOTIFICATION
Each Borough employee shall notify the Borough through written notification to the Borough Secretary via an injury report of a work-related injury.
PETITION
Forms as provided by the Borough of Folcroft and available at the Borough Secretary's office, which are used to file claims before the referee.
PROCEDURE
Process required to be followed when pursuing benefits under the Heart and Lung Act at the Borough or local level.
REFEREE
An individual who is appointed as an official to decide Heart and Lung Act claims instituted by the claimant in the event Borough Council denies benefits pursuant to the Act as well as issue findings of fact and conclusions of law.
A. 
Immediately upon injury, the Borough employee who qualifies under and seeks benefits pursuant to the Heart and Lung Act shall file an injury report, using forms available at Borough Secretary's office, with the Borough Secretary accompanied by a writing and/or letter addressed to Borough Council requesting such benefits.
B. 
Each claimant shall be required to provide information regarding medical treatment, doctors and/or any medical provider along with a medical release/authorization form as provided by the Borough so that the Borough can investigate the claim. Borough Council may also request an independent medical exam of the claimant.
C. 
Upon receipt of the medical information of any given claimant, and independent medical exam, Borough Council shall issue a decision within 30 days after executive session.
D. 
In the event that benefits are denied, the claimant then has three years from the date of injury to complete a claim petition form, which are available at the Borough Secretary's office, and submit such by first-class mail to the current Heart and Lung Act Referee with a copy sent first-class mail to Folcroft Borough Council.
E. 
Folcroft Borough Council has 15 days to answer said claim petition.
F. 
The Heart and Lung Act Referee will schedule hearings as needed in order for the claimant and the Borough to present their case, respectively, including submission of medical reports and bills as well as testimony from the claimant and any fact witness.
G. 
The Heart and Lung Act referee shall after considering all the evidence issue findings of fact and conclusions of law within 60 days of the last hearing and/or submission of briefs.
H. 
The claimant may then appeal to the next level in the event benefits are denied.
On an annual basis, Folcroft Borough Council shall appoint by way of resolution a referee to decide such claims pursuant to the Borough Code, § 1005(1), 8 Pa.C.S.A. § 1005(1), and the recent case law of Sidlow v. Nether Providence Township, 153 Pa.Cmwlth. 380, 621 A.2d. 1105 (1993).
The Referee shall be paid a flat fee per case by the Borough and in an amount as decided by Folcroft Borough Council.
A. 
The referee shall dispense with his duties as per the oath of office taken at the beginning of each year and according to the Heart and Lung Act statute as well as case law thereunder.
B. 
Upon receipt of a claim petition, the referee shall notify the Borough and the claimant that such was received, and within 30 days schedule the first hearings, notice of the date, time and location shall be given by first-class mail to the last known address of the parties.
C. 
The referee shall schedule as many hearings as is deemed appropriate to consider all evidence at a reasonable time, place and date.
D. 
Each party shall bear its own expenses to conduct depositions; however, the Borough will provide a court stenographer at a scheduled hearing as needed by the parties and based upon reasonable notice by the parties to obtain such.
E. 
After the referee has considered all the evidence and the parties have rested their respective case in chief, the referee shall issue in writing the findings of fact and conclusions of law and send such to the parties via first-class mail.
F. 
The referee shall carry out any and all other duties as required by the position.
The Borough of Folcroft shall have the right to file and pursue termination/suspension petitions before the referee for hearings and presentation of evidence in order to terminate/suspend Heart and Lung Act benefits which are being received by a Borough employee. The Borough shall follow the procedure as outlined in § 140-3.
Any claimant who does not provide medical authorizations and/or appropriate medical information in order for the Borough to decide the claim, may risk that the claim be denied. If any claimant gives false information or statements, penalties under the law will be pursued by the Borough and the claim will be denied.