§1035.1. Extraterritorial coverage

           (1) If an employee, while working outside the territorial limits of this state, suffers an injury on account of which he, or in the event of his death, his dependents, would have been entitled to the benefits provided by this Chapter had such injury occurred within this state, such employee, or in the event of his death resulting from such injury, his dependents, shall be entitled to the benefits provided by this Chapter, provided that at the time of such injury

           (a) his employment is principally localized in this state, or

           (b) he is working under a contract of hire made in this state.

           (2) The payment or award of benefits under the workers' compensation law of another state, territory, province, or foreign nation to an employee or his dependents otherwise entitled on account of such injury or death to the benefits of this Chapter shall not be a bar to a claim for benefits under this act; provided that claim under this act is filed within the time limits set forth in R.S. 23:1209. If compensation is paid or awarded under this act:

           (a) The medical and related benefits furnished or paid for by the employer under such other workers' compensation law on account of such injury or death shall be credited against the medical and related benefits to which the employee would have been entitled under this act had claim been made solely under this act;

           (b) The total amount of all income benefits paid or awarded the employee under such other workers' compensation law shall be credited against the total amount of income benefits which would have been due the employee under this act, had the claim been made solely under this act;

           (c) The total amount of death benefits paid or awarded under such other worker's compensation law shall be credited against the total amount of death benefits due under this act.

           (3) "Workers' compensation law" includes "occupational disease law".

           (4) Notwithstanding the above, an employee may elect as his exclusive state workers' compensation remedy the provisions of Louisiana's workers' compensation law provided all the following items occur:

           (a) This election is clearly stated in a written employment contract signed by the employee prior to the occurrence of an accident or occupational disease as defined in this Chapter.

           (b) Louisiana's workers' compensation law has jurisdiction over the accident or occupational disease under its conflict of laws or extraterritorial law.

           (c) The employee was domiciled in the state of Louisiana at the time of the accident or the injurious exposure to conditions causing an occupational disease.

           Added by Acts 1975, No. 583, §4, eff. Sept. 1, 1975. Acts 1983, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 1, §6; Acts 2001, No. 1014, §1, eff. June 27, 2001.