Policy Name:	Court Cost Payment
Policy #:	CP- 03-07
Code/Rule Reference:	R.C. 4123.522
Effective Date:	8/20/2014
Approved:	Rick Percy, Chief of Operational Policy, Analytics and Compliance (signature on file)
Origin:	Claims Policy
Supersedes:	All Injury Management policies, directives and memos regarding court cost payment that predate the effective date of this policy.
History:	New 8/20/2014

 

 

I. POLICY PURPOSE

 

The purpose of this policy is to provide guidance for the processing and payment of litigation-related bills.

 

II. APPLICABILITY

 

This policy applies to BWC field operations staff and Benefits Payable.

 

III. DEFINITIONS

 

Attorney fees:  An equitable amount fixed by the trial judge and established upon the final determination of a proceeding, payable to an attorney for legal services rendered in a matter.

 

Court costs:  For purposes of this policy, the amount of money to process the legal proceeding through the court system and for which the trial judge may apportion liability to a party or parties.

 

Court Unit 512 Memo:  An Industrial Commission of Ohio (IC) document used to memorialize receipt of a court judgment entry or decision.

 

Judgment Entry:  A document created by the court and signed by a judge, magistrate or designee to record the outcome of a case; a court order.

 

Litigation-related bills: The cost associated with litigation of a case, such as independent medical reviews or examinations, expert testimony, attorney fees, court costs.

 

 

 

IV. POLICY

A.    It is the policy of BWC to ensure that all litigation-related bills are paid in compliance with a judgment entry in an appropriate and timely manner.

 

B.    The BWC will not issue payment or implement an order until:

1.    The IC has sent BWC the Court Unit 512 Memo; and

2.    The Attorney General approves payment.

 

 

BWC staff may refer to the corresponding procedure for this policy entitled “Procedure for Court Cost Payment” for further guidance.