§ 25-5-290 — Ombudsman Program, Creation; Purpose; Members; Notification of Service; Benefit Review Conferences

(a) The Department of Labor shall establish an Ombudsman Program to assist injured or disabled employees, persons claiming death benefits, employers, and other persons in protecting their rights and obtaining information available under the Workers’ Compensation Law.
(b) Providing that the employer and the employee agree to participate in the benefit review conference, the ombudsmen shall meet with or otherwise provide information to injured or disabled employees, investigate complaints, and communicate with employers, insurance carriers, and health care providers on behalf of injured or disabled employees.
(c) Ombudsmen shall be Merit System employees and demonstrate familiarity with the Workers’ Compensation Law. An ombudsman shall not be an advocate for any person who shall assist a claimant, employer, or other person in any proceeding beyond the benefit review conference, but may, at all times, provide appropriate information regarding this chapter and rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
(d) Each employer shall notify his or her employees of the ombudsman’s service in a manner prescribed by the Secretary of the Department of Labor. The notice shall include the posting of a notice in one or more conspicuous places. The secretary shall also describe clearly the availability of the ombudsman on the first report of accident form required by this article. The ombudsman shall give each employee with a lost-time accident claim written notice of workers’ compensation assistance that is available. The notice shall include a toll-free phone number for employees to reach an ombudsman.
(e) Ombudsmen may conduct benefit review conferences. A benefit review conference may be held between the parties involved in a dispute over any claim arising after January 1, 1993. Such benefit review conference shall be held only by agreement of the employer and employee and shall not be deemed mandatory. The secretary shall institute and maintain an education and training program for ombudsmen. The ombudsmen shall be trained in the principles and procedures of dispute mediation and the secretary may consult or contract with the federal Mediation and Conciliation Service or other appropriate organizations to accomplish this purpose.
(f) In conducting benefit review conferences, the ombudsman:
(1) Shall mediate disputes between the parties and assist with the claim consistent with this article and the policies of the department.
(2) Shall inform all parties of their rights and responsibilities under this article, especially in cases in which either party is not represented by an attorney or other representative. An employee shall be advised, in writing which shall be notarized, of his or her right to be represented by counsel and of his or her right to have any settlement of his or her claim reviewed by a court of competent jurisdiction at any time within 60 days after the date of the settlement and at the end of 60 days it shall be final and irrevocable.
(3) Shall ensure that all documents and information relating to the employee’s wages, medical condition, and any other information pertinent to the resolution of disputed issues are contained in the claim file at the conference, especially in cases in which the employee is not represented by an attorney or other representative.
(4) May reschedule a benefit review conference if he or she determines that available information pertinent to the resolution of disputed issues is not produced at the benefit review conference.
(5) May not take testimony but may direct questions to an employee, an employer, or a representative of an insurance carrier to supplement or clarify information in a claim file.
(6) May not make a formal record.
(7) May issue a statement with regard to an award of attorney fees in accordance with the amount as provided by Section 25-5-90.

Legislative History

(Acts 1992, No. 92-537, p. 1082, §37.)