The following willful acts shall be deemed unethical or fraudulent conduct by the board. (1) Carrier representatives: (A) misrepresenting to claimants, employers, or health providers the provisions of the Workers' Compensation Law of Texas; (B) failing to submit to the board any settlement agreement executed by the parties; (C) failing to immediately notify the board of the suspension or stopping of compensation and the reason for such suspension or stopping of compensation; (D) stopping or suspending compensation without substantiating evidence that such action is authorized by law; (E) misrepresenting that one is employed by the State of Texas or any agency thereof; (F) instructing employers not to file Employer's First Reports of Injury with the board when such filing is required by statute; (G) instructing
employers to violate the claimant's rights guaranteed by Texas Civil Statutes, Article 8306, §7; (H) failing to promptly tender full death benefits where no bona fide dispute exists as to the liability of the carrier; (I) allowing an employer to dictate the methods by which and the terms on which a claim is handled and settled. Nothing in the foregoing shall prohibit the free discussion of a claim prior to prehearing conference, prohibit the employer's assistance in the investigation and evaluation of a claim prior to pre-hearing conference, or prohibit the employer's attendance at a pre-hearing conference and participation therein as a witness/observer; (J) failing to confirm medical benefits coverage to any persons or facility providing medical treatment to a claimant where no bona fide dispute exists as to the liability of the carrier; (K) failing, without good cause, to attend a
pre-hearing conference; (L) attending a pre-hearing conference without complete authority or failing to exercise authority to effectuate settlement; (M) adjusting workers' compensation claims in any manner contrary to the provisions of the Adjusters Licensing Act or the rules and regulations of the State Board of Insurance; (N) failing to promptly process claims in a reasonable and prudent manner; (O) failing to initiate or reinstate compensation when due where no bona fide dispute exists as to the liability of the carrier; (P) misrepresenting the reason for not paying compensation or for the suspension of compensation; (Q) misdating the Form A-1 so as to distort the true date of the initial payment of compensation; (R) making notations on drafts or other instruments so as to indicate that the draft or instrument represents a final settlement of a
claim when in fact the claim is still open and pending before the board; (S) failing and refusing to pay compensation from week to week as and when the same matures and accrues directly to the person entitled thereto; (T) failing to pay an award of the board as directed by the board when no appeal is perfected; (U) violating any rule of the board; (V) controverting claims when evidence clearly indicates compensability; (W) failing to file with the board, immediately upon receipt, originals of the E-1, Employer's First Report of Injury or Illness; E-2, Employer's Supplemental Report of Injury; and IAB-150, Employer's Wage Statement. (2) Claimant's attorney and/or agents: (A) failing, without good cause, to attend a pre-hearing conference; (B) committing an act of barratry as defined by the laws of this state;
(C) withholding sums not authorized by the board from claimant's weekly compensation or from advancements; (D) entering into a compromise settlement agreement without the knowledge, consent, and signature of the claimant or beneficiary; (E) taking a fee or withholding expenses in excess of such sums authorized by the board; (F) refusing or failing to make prompt delivery to claimant (client) of the funds belonging to claimant as a result of a compromise settlement agreement, A-2 payment or award; (G) violating the Code of Professional Responsibility of the State Bar of Texas; (H) violating any rule of the board. (Rev. 1979).
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| Source Note: The provisions of §65.10 adopted to be effective November 20, 1977, 2 TexReg 4324; amended to be effective September 25, 1979, 4 TexReg 3232; amended to be effective September 18, 1981, 6 TexReg 3274; amended to be effective October 26, 1981, 6 TexReg 3819; amended to be effective November 11, 1983, 8 TexReg 4499; amended to be effective October 1, 1985, 10 TexReg 3506; amended to be effective October 17, 1989, 14 TexReg 5260.
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