Ohio § 4123.06

§ 4123.06.

The industrial commission shall adopt rules concerning the payment of attorney's fees

and shall protect parties against unfair fees.  The commission shall fix the amount of fees in the event of a controversy in respect

thereto.  The commission and the bureau of workers' compensation shall prominently display

in all areas of an office which claimants frequent a notice to the effect that the

commission has statutory authority to resolve fee disputes.  The commission shall adopt rules designed to prevent the solicitation of employment

in the prosecution or defense of claims and make and adopt reasonable rules designed

to promote the orderly and expeditious submission, hearing, and determination of claims

and may inquire into the amounts of fees charged employers or claimants by attorneys,

agents, or representatives for services in matters before the commission. The commission shall set reasonable standards for those attorneys, agents, or representatives

who practice before the bureau, district or staff hearing officers, or the commission. With respect to payment of fees to attorneys for services in securing an award under section 4123.64 of the Revised Code , the commission shall: (A) Approve, disapprove, or modify applications for lump sum payment for attorney's fees; (B) Allow payment of a reasonable fee after review of the application; (C) Require the attorney to disclose all fees received in obtaining the award under which

the fee is requested and certify that the client is liable for no further fee with

respect to continuing compensation, except if a later dispute arises in the claim

requiring additional services; (D) Require such supporting evidence as the commission deems necessary to justify any

such application. The commission shall suspend from practice before the bureau, district or staff hearing

officers, or the commission for such period of time as the commission determines,

or reprimand, as the nature of the offense warrants, representatives of claimants

or employers who violate any reasonable rule the commission adopts under authority

of law.  If the commission suspends or reprimands any person admitted to practice law, the

commission shall notify the Ohio state bar association and the bar association of

the community in which the person resides of the action taken by the commission. Before a representative is suspended or reprimanded, the commission or a person directly

interested in the results of the services of a representative shall file written charges

against him stating distinctly the grounds of complaint, and a copy thereof certified

by the secretary of the commission, shall be served upon the representative.  After service, the representative shall be allowed a reasonable time to appear and

make a defense, introduce evidence, and be heard either in person or by counsel, or

both. If the commission makes an order to suspend or reprimand a representative, the order

may be reviewed on appeal on questions of law in the supreme court, which may affirm

or modify the order of the commission or dismiss the complaint.  Appeal proceedings shall be filed in the supreme court within forty days after the

order of the commission. The commission may readmit any person suspended upon its own motion or upon the written

application of the person suspended. The head of the legal department of the commission shall make the investigations contemplated

by this section and enforce this section and the rules adopted by the commission pursuant

to this section.  The commission shall assign to the head of the legal department one of its employees

to assist in the administration and supervision of this section and of the rules adopted

under this section.