§ 28-35-17 - Notice and conduct of hearings.

SECTION 28-35-17

   § 28-35-17  Notice and conduct of hearings.– (a) Upon the filing of any petition the court shall assign the matter to ajudge. The court shall issue notice at that time, advising the parties of thejudge to whom the case has been assigned and the date for pretrial conferencein accordance with § 28-35-20.

   (b) Upon filing of any claim for a trial, following thepretrial conference held in accordance with § 28-35-20, the judge shallfix a time for trial and give notice of it in accordance with rules ofprocedure promulgated by the court but the initial hearing shall be fixed notlater than thirty (30) days next after filing the claim for a trial. The courtshall cause notice of the trial to be given to each interested party inaccordance with rules and regulations promulgated by the court. The judge shallproceed to hear the matter as the justice of the case may require, and mayallow amendments to the petition and the answer at any stage of theproceedings. Hearings may be adjourned from time to time for just andsufficient cause, and hearings may be held at the places that the workers'compensation court shall designate.