§23-5-16. Fees of attorney for claimant; unlawful charging or
receiving of attorney fees.
(a) No attorney's fee in excess of twenty percent of any award
granted shall be charged or received by an attorney for a claimant
or dependent. In no case shall the fee received by the attorney of
such claimant or dependent be in excess of twenty percent of the
benefits to be paid during a period of two hundred eight weeks.
The interest on disability or dependent benefits as provided for in
this chapter shall not be considered as part of the award in
determining any such attorney's fee. However, any contract entered
into in excess of twenty percent of the benefits to be paid during
a period of two hundred eight weeks, as herein provided, shall be
unlawful and unenforceable as contrary to the public policy of this
state and any fee charged or received by an attorney in violation
thereof shall be deemed an unlawful practice and render the
attorney subject to disciplinary action.
(b) On a final settlement an attorney may charge a fee not to
exceed twenty percent of the total value of the medical and
indemnity benefits: Provided, That this attorney's fee, when
combined with any fees previously charged or received by the
attorney for permanent partial disability or permanent total
disability benefits may not exceed twenty percent of an award of
benefits to be paid during a period of two hundred eight weeks.