Section 0800-02-21-.09 - OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM(1) The ombudsman program assists injured or disabled employees, persons claiming death benefits, employers, and other persons in protecting their rights, resolving disputes, and obtaining information. The ombudsman program is available only to those individuals or organizations who are not represented by legal counsel under T.C.A. § 50-6-216.(2) Any unrepresented person or organization seeking the services of an ombudsman must contact the bureau, and the bureau will assign an ombudsman if the person is qualified to receive services. The bureau retains sole authority to determine services the ombudsman will provide under T.C.A. § 50-6-216(a).(3) Any unrepresented party seeking the services of an ombudsman attorney must submit a request on a form approved by the administrator. The ombudsman attorney must provide services in compliance with T.C.A. § 50-6-216(e)(3) and Formal Ethics Opinion 2017-F-162.Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0800-02-21-.09
Original rule filed April 1, 2014; effective June 30, 2014. Amendments filed September 1, 2016; effective November 30, 2016. Repeal and new rules filed May 3, 2019; effective 8/1/2019Authority: T.C.A. §§ 4-3-1409, 50-6-101, 50-6-216, and 50-6-233; and Public Chapter 289 (2013), Sections 73 and 106.