Except as otherwise provided, fees for legal services under this title shall be subject to approval of the department. Attorneys' fees may not exceed the percentage of the amount of compensation benefits secured as a result of the attorney's involvement as follows:

1. (1) Twenty-five percent of the disputed amount arrived at by settlement of the parties;
2. (2) Thirty percent of the disputed amount awarded by the Department of Labor and Regulation after hearing or through appeal to circuit court;
3. (3) Thirty-five percent of the disputed amount awarded if an appeal is successful to the Supreme Court. Attorneys' fees and costs may be paid in a lump sum on the present value of the settlement or adjudicated amount.

Source: SL 1992, ch 364 , § 7; SL 1993, ch 379 , § 5; SL 2011, ch 1 (Ex. Ord. 11-1 ), § 33, eff. Apr. 12, 2011.