1 Workers' Compensation; Award of Fees and Interest. Amend RSA 281-A:44, VI to read as follows:

VI. No attorney representing a claimant shall contract for, charge for, or collect a fee for legal service rendered to the claimant at the department level unless the fee has been approved by the commissioner. In determining the amount of the allowable fee, the commissioner shall consider, among other things, the nature, length and complexity of the service performed, the usual and customary charge for work of the like kind and the benefit accruing to the claimant as a result of the legal service performed; provided, however, that

When an insurance carrier, self insurer, or payor acting on behalf of such carrier or self insurer disputes the causal relationship of a medical bill to the claimant's injury, or whether a medical bill was required by the nature of the injury, and denies payment of such bill, is after a hearing, ordered to pay or reimburse the bill by the commissioner, the claimant shall be entitled to reimbursement of reasonable counsel fees and costs as approved by the commissioner. The claimant shall be entitled to reasonable fees and costs pending appeal. In the event that the medical bill is voluntarily accepted less than 7 business days prior to the date of the scheduled hearing, the claimant shall be entitled to reasonable counsel fees and costs as approved by the commissioner unless the carrier can prove a justifiable reason for the delay in accepting the bill.

2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.

1 Workers' Compensation; Award of Fees and Interest. Amend RSA 281-A:44, VI to read as follows:

VI. (a) No attorney representing a claimant shall contract for, charge for, or collect a fee for legal service rendered to the claimant at the department level unless the fee has been approved by the commissioner. If a claimant prevails at the department level, the claimant shall be entitled to reimbursement of reasonable counsel fees and costs as approved by the commissioner. In determining the amount of the allowable fee, the commissioner shall consider, among other things, the nature, length and complexity of the service performed, the usual and customary charge for work of the like kind and the benefit accruing to the claimant as a result of the legal service performed .

(b) When an insurance carrier, self insurer, or payor acting on behalf of such carrier or self insurer disputes the causal relationship of a medical bill to the claimant's injury, or whether a medical bill was required by the nature of the injury, and denies payment of such bill, and after a hearing, is ordered to pay or reimburse the bill by the commissioner, the claimant shall be entitled to reimbursement of reasonable counsel fees and costs as approved by the commissioner. The claimant shall be entitled to reasonable fees and costs pending appeal. In the event that the medical bill is voluntarily accepted less than 7 business days prior to the date of the scheduled hearing, the claimant shall be entitled to reasonable counsel fees and costs as approved by the commissioner unless the carrier can prove a justifiable reason for the delay in accepting the bill.

2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.