This bill amends portions of the Workers' Compensation Law in Arkansas, specifically addressing the awarding of attorney's fees related to medical benefits or services. The bill removes the previous prohibition on awarding attorney's fees for medical benefits, allowing for such fees to be included in claims. It establishes that attorney's fees for legal services must be approved by the Workers' Compensation Commission and sets the standard fee at twenty-five percent of the compensation awarded. Additionally, it clarifies the conditions under which fees can be awarded, including scenarios where claims are controverted or not controverted.

Furthermore, the bill updates the effective date of the amendments regarding attorney's fees to the current year, 2023, and specifies that these changes apply to benefits related to injuries occurring on or after the effective date of the act. The revisions aim to enhance the legal framework surrounding workers' compensation claims, particularly in ensuring that attorneys can be compensated for their services in relation to medical benefits, thereby potentially improving access to legal representation for injured workers.

Statutes affected:
HB 1611: 11-9-715(a), 11-9-715(e)