§ 85A-70. Promulgation of rules.

The Commission is authorized and directed to promulgate rules to establish and implement a preliminary conference procedure designed to accomplish the following objectives:

1.  To provide the claimant an opportunity to confer with a legal advisor on the staff of the Commission to be advised of his or her rights under this act and to ensure that the rights are protected.  The conference shall be held in the county where the accident occurred, if the accident occurred in this state, unless otherwise agreed to by the parties, or otherwise directed by the Commission;

2.  To provide an opportunity for, but not compel, a binding settlement of some or all the issues present at the time;

3.  To facilitate the resolution of issues without the expense of litigation or attorney fees for either party; and

4.  To authorize the legal advisor to approve compromise settlements entered into while attending or as a result of the preliminary conference and those joint petition settlements entered into under Section 87 of this act.  Provided, however, the same legal advisors shall not both advise the claimant and approve the joint petition.

Added by Laws 2013, c. 208, § 70.