Loud v. Kezar Falls Woolen Co.

[¶ 1] The employer, Kezar Falls Woolen Co., appeals from a decision of the Workers’ Compensation Board partially granting its petition for forfeiture. The Board concluded that although the employee’s refusal of an offer of reinstatement employment resulted in a forfeiture of benefits, the employee’s subsequent inquiries into job opportunities, and further layoffs at Kezar Falls, ended “the period of the refusal” pursuant to 39-A M.R.S.A. § 214(1)(A) (Supp.1998). We disagree and vacate the decision.

[¶ 2] The employee, Denise Loud, suffered a work-related injury to her low-back on August 1,…