OAR 438-015-0050: Attorney Fees in Connection with Disputed Claim Settlements

(1) When a denied and disputed claim is settled under the provisions of ORS 656.289(4) and OAR 438-009-0010, an attorney fee may be approved by the Administrative Law Judge or the Board in an amount up to 25 percent of the settlement proceeds. Under extraordinary circumstances, a fee may be authorized in excess of this calculation. (2) When the settlement proceeds are to be paid in more than one payment payable within a period of more than one year from the date of approval, for purposes of approving an attorney fee under section (1) of this rule, settlement proceeds shall be calculated based on the “present value” of the total settlement proceeds. “Present value” may be represented by the actual present value of the total settlement proceeds or the purchase price of any annuity designed to fund payment of the total settlement proceeds. The parties shall provide the Board with a written statement of the “present value” of the total settlement proceeds.