44-5a06. Date from which compensation is computed; employer liable. The date when an employee or workman becomes incapacitated by an occupational disease from performing his work in the last occupation in which he was injuriously exposed to the hazards of such disease, shall be taken as the date of the injury equivalent to the date of accident under the workmen's compensation act. Where compensation is payable for an occupational disease, the employer in whose employment the employee or workman was last injuriously exposed to the hazards of such disease, and the insurance carrier, if any, on the risk when such employee was last so exposed under such employer, shall be liable therefor, without the right to contribution from any prior employer or insurance carrier; the amount of the compensation shall be based upon the average wages of the employee or workman when last so exposed under such employer, and the notice of disability and claim for compensation, as hereinafter required, shall be given and made to such employer: Provided, That in case of silicosis the only employer and insurance carrier liable shall be the last employer in whose employment the employee or workman was last injuriously exposed to the hazards of the disease during a period of sixty (60) days or more, and the insurance carrier, if any, on the risk when the employee or workman was last so exposed under such employer.

History: L. 1953, ch. 246, § 6; L. 1974, ch. 203, § 53; July 1.