44-536a. Signing of pleadings, motions and other documents; liability for frivolous filings. (a) Every pleading, motion and other document provided for by the workers compensation act of any party, who is represented by an attorney, shall be signed by at least one attorney of record in the attorney's individual name, and the attorney's address, telephone number, fax number, email address and supreme court registration number shall be stated. Signature by electronic means, when utilizing the workers compensation electronic filing system, satisfies the requirements for signing. A pleading, motion or other document provided for by the workers compensation act of any party who is not represented by an attorney shall be signed by the party in writing or electronically, when utilizing the workers compensation electronic filing system, and shall state the party's name, address, telephone number, fax number and email address, if applicable.

(b) Except when otherwise specifically provided by rule and regulation of the director, pleadings need not be verified or accompanied by an affidavit. The signature of a person constitutes a certificate by the person: (1) That the person has read the pleading; (2) that to the best of the person's knowledge, information and belief formed after reasonable inquiry, the pleading is well grounded in fact and is warranted by existing law or a good faith argument for the extension, modification or reversal of existing law; and (3) that the pleading is not imposed for any improper purpose, such as to harass or to cause unnecessary delay or needless increase in the cost of resolving disputed claims for benefits.

(c) If any pleading, motion or other document provided for by the workers compensation act is not signed, such pleading, motion or other document shall not be accepted and shall be void unless it is signed promptly after the omission is called to the attention of the pleader or movant.

(d) If a pleading, motion or other document provided for by the workers compensation act is signed in violation of this section, the administrative law judge, director or board, upon motion or upon its own initiative upon notice and after opportunity to be heard, shall impose upon the person who signed such pleading or a represented party, or both, an appropriate sanction, which may include an order to pay to the other party or parties the amount of the reasonable expenses incurred because of the filing of the pleading, motion or other document, including reasonable attorney fees.

History: L. 1993, ch. 286, § 20; L. 2016, ch. 98, § 3; July 1.