The Workmen's Compensation (Supplementation) Scheme 1982

PART IV MEDICAL BOARD

Reference of questions to the medical board

13.—(1) Subject to the provisions of paragraph (2) of this article, where a claimant who is not certified under a compensation scheme as being totally disabled as a result of pneumoconiosis claims a major incapacity allowance, the question whether he is so disabled shall be referred by the insurance officer for determination by the medical board.

(2) For the purposes of the last foregoing paragraph—

(a) in a case where the claimant has been held in arbitration proceedings under the Workmen's Compensation Acts to be totally disabled as a result of pneumoconiosis, the insurance officer may determine that the claimant is so disabled without referring that question to the medical board;

(b) in a case where the insurance officer is of the opinion that the determination of any other question disposes of the claim, he may, without referring the question whether the claimant is totally disabled as a result of pneumoconiosis to the medical board, make a decision that an award cannot be made on the claim.

Issue of certificate by medical board

14.  Where, in pursuance of a reference under article 13 of this scheme, the medical board are satisfied, having examined the claimant, that he is totally disabled as a result of pneumoconiosis, they shall issue a certificate accordingly and such certificate, signed by not less than 2 members thereof on behalf of the medical board, shall be conclusive evidence of the matters therein certified.

Radiographic examination

15.  The medical board shall have power, in any case where they consider necessary, to make or cause to be made a radiographic examination of the lungs of the claimant and to obtain the report of a radiologist on the case.