4121.39 Administrator of workers' compensation - powers and duties. - Ohio Statutes

4121.39 Administrator of workers' compensation - powers and duties.

The administrator of workers’ compensation shall do all of the following:

(A) Except as provided in section 4123.402 of the Revised Code, review and process all applications for claims;

(B) Award compensation and make payment on all noncontested claims;

(C) Make payment on orders of the industrial commission and district and staff hearing officers as provided in section 4123.511 of the Revised Code;

(D) Serve as representative of the state insurance fund;

(E) Establish a legal section within the bureau to provide legal advice and assistance to the administrator and the administrator’s staff as to claims procedure and policy; appeals to be lodged on behalf of the state insurance fund; and other legal issues. The bureau legal section shall act as attorney for the state fund in administrative appeals.

(F) Establish a program for quality control, systems design, and internal auditing. In the operation of the program, the administrator shall ensure that audits are performed at least annually to determine whether or not the bureau meets the performance goals the administrator establishes.

(G) Ensure that there exists the coordination between the central office and the service offices necessary to facilitate open lines of communication and the standardized procedures in conformity with the requirements set forth in the operating manuals of the bureau. The administrator shall establish a line of authority from the central office to the service offices of the bureau sufficient to avoid ambiguity in the performance of any management or policy function.

Effective Date: 09-29-1997