This bill amends RSA 281-A:44 to establish that claimants who prevail in workers' compensation disputes at the department level are entitled to reasonable attorneys' fees and costs, as approved by the commissioner. The new language specifies that no attorney can charge or collect fees for services rendered at the department level without prior approval from the commissioner. Additionally, it clarifies that if a claimant wins a dispute regarding the causal relationship of a medical bill to their injury, they are also entitled to reimbursement for reasonable counsel fees and costs, pending appeal. The bill removes previous limitations on the payment of counsel fees and costs, allowing for broader reimbursement scenarios.

The bill's effective date is set for 60 days after its passage, and it does not provide funding or authorize new positions. While the Department of Labor anticipates that the bill may lead to increased claim expenditures, it does not expect a significant impact on state, county, or local revenues. The Department suggests that clarifying which party is responsible for reimbursing the fees would enhance the bill's clarity, although it infers that the liability would likely fall on the insurance carrier. Overall, the bill aims to improve the financial support available to claimants in workers' compensation cases.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 281-A:44