LAC 40:I.5819. Failure to Attend; Sanctions

A. If any party fails to appear at a mediation conference ordered by the judge or requested by the parties, after proper notice and without just cause, the presiding workers’ compensation judge, upon request of a party , may fine the delinquent party an amount not to exceed $500, which shall be payable to the Office of Workers’ Compensation Administrative Fund. In addition, the presiding workers’ compensation judge may assess against the party failing to attend, costs and reasonable attorney's fees incurred by any other party in connection with the conference. The penalties provided for in this Section shall be assessed by the presiding workers’ compensation judge only after a contradictory hearing which shall be held prior to the hearing on the merits of the dispute.