(a) If a covered employee who suffers from a compensable hernia refuses to undergo surgery to cure the hernia, the employer or its insurer shall pay the covered employee compensation for 7.5 weeks.

(b) (1) The Commission may excuse a refusal to undergo surgery if the covered employee satisfies the Commission that it is considered unsafe for the covered employee to undergo surgery because of the age or previous physical condition of the covered employee.

(2) If the Commission excuses a refusal to undergo surgery under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the employer or its insurer shall pay the covered employee compensation for 52 weeks.

(c) Payment of compensation under this section is in place of all other benefits for or on account of disability or death that resulted or is alleged to have resulted from the hernia.