Sec. 24. (a) The worker's compensation board may make rules not inconsistent with this chapter for carrying out the provisions of this chapter. Processes and procedures under this chapter shall be as summary and simple as reasonably may be. The board, or any member thereof, shall have the power, for the purpose of this chapter, to subpoena witnesses, administer or cause to have administered oaths, and to examine or cause to have examined such parts of the books and records of the parties to a proceeding as relate to questions in dispute. The county sheriff shall serve all subpoenas of the board and shall receive the same fees as provided by law for like service in civil actions. Each witness who appears in obedience to such subpoena of the board shall receive for attendance the fees and mileage for witnesses in civil cases in the courts. The circuit or superior court shall, on application of the board or any member thereof, enforce by proper proceedings the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production and examination of books, papers, and records.

(b) The fees of attorneys and physicians and charges of nurses and hospitals for services under this chapter shall be subject to the approval of the worker's compensation board. When any claimant for compensation is represented by an attorney in the prosecution of his claim, the board shall fix and state in the award, if compensation be awarded, the amount of the claimant's attorney's fees. The fee so fixed shall be binding upon both the claimant and his attorney, and the employer shall pay to the attorney, out of the award, the fee so fixed, and the receipt of the attorney therefor shall fully acquit the employer for an equal portion of the award.

(c) Whenever the worker's compensation board shall determine upon hearing of a claim that the employer has acted in bad faith in adjusting and settling said award, or whenever the board shall determine upon hearing of a claim that the employer has not pursued the settlement of said claim with diligence, then the board shall, if compensation be awarded, fix the amount of the claimant's attorney's fees and such attorney's fees shall be paid to the attorney and shall not be charged against the award to the claimant. Such fees as are fixed and awarded on account of a lack of diligence or because of bad faith on the part of the employer shall not be less than one hundred fifty dollars ($150).

(d) The worker's compensation board may withhold the approval of the fees of the attending physician in any case until he shall file a report with the board on the form prescribed by such board.

Formerly: Acts 1937, c.69, s.17; Acts 1965, c.206, s.2. As amended by P.L.144-1986, SEC.66; P.L.28-1988, SEC.56.