SF2398 Summary

• Establishes maximum attorney fees for workers' compensation cases at 20% of first $130,000 in compensation awarded, with cumulative limit of $26,000 per injury, and requires attorneys to file fee statements within 12 months.

• Requires workers' compensation payers to electronically submit medical records using ASC X12N 275 transaction standards by January 1, 2017, and provide claim information and patient identification on all payments by September 1, 2015.

• Changes Workers' Compensation Court of Appeals procedures by eliminating bond requirement for certiorari review, changing filing fee rules to follow Rules of Civil Appellate Procedure, and modifying appeal petition language and service requirements.

• Allows intervenors in workers' compensation cases to participate without mandatory attendance at hearings unless ordered by compensation judge, with timely motion to intervene automatically granting intervenor status.

• Amends dwelling alteration and remodeling requirements for permanently disabled workers to allow certified building officials or accessibility specialists to approve projects instead of requiring licensed architect certification in certain circumstances.