949.14 Attorney fees.
(1) The department may determine and allow reasonable attorney fees to be paid out of, but not in addition to, the amount of the award granted to a claimant. No attorney may ask for, contract for or receive any larger sum than the amount so allowed. Attorney fees shall not exceed 10 percent of the amount the attorney assisted the victim in obtaining.
(2) The department shall provide for payment of such fee directly to the person entitled thereto.
(3) Whoever charges a fee in violation of sub. (1) shall forfeit double the amount retained by the attorney. This forfeiture shall be collected by this state in an action in debt, upon complaint of the department. Out of the sum recovered, the court shall direct payment to a claimant in the amount of the overcharge.
History: 1975 c. 344, 421; 1977 c. 239; 1979 c. 189; 1985 a. 242; 1993 a. 490.