| (a) Definition. Groundless--no basis in law or fact and not warranted by a good faith argument for the extension, modification, or reversal of existing law. (b) The Office of Injured Employee Counsel Ombudsmen shall adhere to the ethical standards as reflected in Rule 13 of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure in that groundless factual or legal assertions will not be made by the Ombudsman. Groundless factual or legal assertions that might be made by an injured employee or other person without the foreknowledge of the Ombudsman are not included in this prohibition. This shall not be construed as a limitation to Texas Labor Code §404.101 in the pursuit of valid claims or issues. |
