2018 Maryland Code
Labor and Employment
Title 9 - Workers' Compensation
Subtitle 7 - Claims Procedure, Hearings, and Appeals
§ 9-731. Fees for legal services, funeral expenses, and medical services, supplies, or treatment
(a) In general. --
(1) Unless approved by the Commission, a person may not charge or collect a fee for:
(i) legal services in connection with a claim under this title;
(ii) medical services, supplies, or treatment provided under Subtitle 6, Part IX of this title; or
(iii) funeral expenses under Subtitle 6, Part XIII of this title.
(2) When the Commission approves a fee, the fee is a lien on the compensation awarded.
(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.
(b) Lump-sum payment. --
(1) The Commission may order that a fee payable from compensation under (a) of this section be paid in a lump sum.
(2) If the Commission grants a lump-sum payment under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the Commission shall:
(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
(ii) state in the award the dollar amount and the number of weeks that the reduced rate shall be paid by:
1. the employer or its insurer; or
2. if payments are made from the Subsequent Injury Fund, the Subsequent Injury Fund.
(c) Attorney's fees -- Administrative review. -- On application of a party, the Commission may:
(1) hear and decide any question concerning legal services performed in connection with a claim; and
(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.
(d) Attorney's fees -- Enforcement and appeal. -- 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.