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.