1. (a)

   1. (1) Unless approved by the Commission, a person may not charge or collect a fee for:

      1. (i) legal services in connection with a claim under this title;
      2. (ii) medical services, supplies, or treatment provided under Subtitle 6, Part IX of this title; or
      3. (iii) funeral expenses under Subtitle 6, Part XIII of this title.
   2. (2) When the Commission approves a fee, the fee is a lien on the compensation awarded.
   3. (3) Notwithstanding paragraph (2) of this subsection, a fee shall be paid from an award of compensation only in the manner set by the Commission.

2. (b)

   1. (1) The Commission may order that a fee payable from compensation under subsection (a) of this section be paid in a lump sum.

   2. (2) If the Commission grants a lump-sum payment under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the Commission shall:

      1. (i) reduce the weekly rate of compensation until the amount of the lump sum would have been paid if it had been paid in weekly payments; and

      2. (ii) state in the award the dollar amount and the number of weeks that the reduced rate shall be paid by:

         1. 1. the employer or its insurer; or
         2. 2. if payments are made from the Subsequent Injury Fund, the Subsequent Injury Fund.

3. (c) On application of a party, the Commission may:

   1. (1) hear and decide any question concerning legal services performed in connection with a claim; and
   2. (2) order a person who received a fee for legal services to refund to the payer any part of the fee that the Commission may find to be excessive.
4. (d) An order of the Commission regulating payment or refund of payment for legal services may be enforced or appealed in the same manner as a compensation award.

Added by Acts 1991, c. 8, § 2, eff. Oct. 1, 1991.

Formerly Art. 101, §§ 49, 57.