G.V. v. Northbridge General Insurance (16-001698)

The insurer sought reconsideration of the Tribunal’s decision to issue a special award on medical benefits after the insurer removed the claimant from the MIG. Associate Chair Batty allowed granted the reconsideration and cancelled the special award. He held that the insurer’s approval of benefits in advance of a hearing was insufficient to warrant a special award; the claimant still had to prove entitlement to the special award. The claimant’s late submission of medical evidence supported the insurer’s late approval of benefits. Further, the Tribunal had granted the special award without providing the insurer with an opportunity to respond, contrary to procedural fairness.