CompHub Didn’t Change the Rule, Only the Reminder

The Maryland Workers’ Compensation Commission’s transition to CompHub changed the appearance of claim pleadings, and for a time, one familiar warning seemed to disappear. Before CompHub was implemented, the Commission routinely issued notices referencing COMAR 14.09.12.04, advising that an insurer or self-insured employer could be subject to a fine of up to $1,000 per offense if an attorney did not enter an appearance within ten days after issues were filed.

When CompHub launched, those notices appeared to stop. Recently, however, several clients have reported receiving similar warnings, and the Commission has posted a reminder on its website. While the notices have returned, the underlying requirement has not changed. COMAR 14.09.12.04 has long required insurers and self-insured employers to ensure that counsel enters an appearance once issues have been filed.

Promptly notifying your attorney when issues are received will allow counsel to timely enter an appearance, ensuring compliance with the regulation and eliminating any risk of a fine.

Written by Colin D. Whitney, Esq.