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U.S. Code as of:
01/19/04
Section 939. Administration by Secretary
(a) Prescribing rules and regulations; appointing and fixing
compensation of employees; making expenditures
Except as otherwise specifically provided, the Secretary shall
administer the provisions of this chapter, and for such purpose the
Secretary is authorized (1) to make such rules and regulations; (2)
to appoint and fix the compensation of such temporary technical
assistants and medical advisers, and, subject to the provisions of
the civil service laws, to appoint, and, in accordance with chapter
51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of title 5, to fix the
compensation of such deputy commissioners (except deputy
commissioners appointed under subsection (a) of section 940 of this
title) and other officers and employees; and (3) to make such
expenditures (including expenditures for personal services and rent
at the seat of government and elsewhere, for law books, books of
reference, periodicals, and for printing and binding) as may be
necessary in the administration of this chapter. All expenditures
of the Secretary in the administration of this chapter shall be
allowed and paid as provided in section 945 (!1) of this title upon
the presentation of itemized vouchers therefor approved by the
Secretary.
(b) Establishing compensation districts
The Secretary shall establish compensation districts, to include
the high seas and the areas within the United States to which this
chapter applies, and shall assign to each such district one or more
deputy commissioners, as the Secretary deems advisable. Judicial
proceedings under sections 918 and 921 of this title in respect of
any injury or death occurring on the high seas shall be instituted
in the district court within whose territorial jurisdiction is
located the office of the deputy commissioner having jurisdiction
in respect of such injury or death (or in the United States
District Court for the District of Columbia if such office is
located in such District).
(c) Furnishing information and assistance; directing vocational
rehabilitation
(1) The Secretary shall, upon request, provide persons covered by
this chapter with information and assistance relating to the
chapter's coverage and compensation and the procedures for
obtaining such compensation and including assistance in processing
a claim. The Secretary may, upon request, provide persons covered
by this chapter with legal assistance in processing a claim. The
Secretary shall also provide employees receiving compensation
information on medical, manpower, and vocational rehabilitation
services and assist such employees in obtaining the best such
services available.
(2) The Secretary shall direct the vocational rehabilitation of
permanently disabled employees and shall arrange with the
appropriate public or private agencies in States or Territories,
possessions, or the District of Columbia for such rehabilitation.
The Secretary may in his discretion furnish such prosthetic
appliances or other apparatus made necessary by an injury upon
which an award has been made under this chapter to render a
disabled employee fit to engage in a remunerative occupation. Where
necessary rehabilitation services are not available otherwise, the
Secretary of Labor may, in his discretion, use the fund provided
for in section 944 of this title in such amounts as may be
necessary to procure such services, including necessary prosthetic
appliance or other apparatus. This fund shall also be available in
such amounts as may be authorized in annual appropriations for the
Department of Labor for the costs of administering this subsection.
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