(a) The office shall maintain an ombudsman program as provided by this subchapter to assist injured employees and persons claiming death benefits in obtaining benefits under this subtitle.
(b) An ombudsman shall:
(1) meet with or otherwise provide information to injured employees;
(2) investigate complaints;
(3) communicate with employers, insurance carriers, and health care providers on behalf of injured employees;
(4) assist unrepresented claimants to enable those persons to protect their rights in the workers’ compensation system; and
(5) meet with an unrepresented claimant privately for a minimum of 15 minutes prior to any informal or formal hearing.