Virginia Law

A. Agreement between parties as to a fee. An attorney's fee shall be awarded from sums recovered for the benefit of a third-party insurance carrier or a health care provider pursuant to § 65.2-714 of the Code of Virginia if agreement is reached and an order, endorsed by counsel and the carrier or provider, identifying the amount of medical charges recovered and the agreed fee is submitted to the commission.

B. Parties fail to agree on a fee.

1. An attorney fee shall be awarded from sums recovered for the benefit of a third-party insurance carrier or a health care provider pursuant to § 65.2-714 of the Code of Virginia if the parties cannot agree, upon filing of a statement including the name and address of each carrier or provider from whom the fee is requested, the amount of the medical charge recovered for each carrier or provider and the amount of the fee requested, and certification that:

a. The claim was contested or that the defense was abandoned;

b. Prior to the filing of a request with the commission the attorney and carrier or provider made a reasonable good faith effort to resolve the matter;

c. The insurance carrier or health care provider was given reasonable notice that a motion for an award of such fee would be made; and

d. A copy of the motion has been sent to each carrier and health care provider identified.

2. If the request is referred to the evidentiary hearing docket, counsel must provide notice of the hearing to each carrier or provider. The notice must state the amount of the medical charge recovered for the carrier or provider, the amount of the attorney fee requested, and the time and place of the hearing.