(1) Within 14 days after the mailing of the notice of the mediation hearing, each party shall submit payment to the mediation clerk of a mediation fee of $75.00 in the manner specified in the notice of the mediation hearing. However, if a judge is a member of the panel, the fee shall be $50.00. Only a single fee is required of each party, even if there are counterclaims, cross-claims, or third-party claims. The mediation clerk shall arrange payment to the mediators.

  (2) If a claim is derivative of another claim, the claims shall be treated as a single claim, with 1 fee to be paid and a single award made by the mediators.

  (3) In the case of multiple injuries to members of a single family, the plaintiffs may elect to treat the action as involving 1 claim, with the payment of 1 fee and the rendering of 1 lump sum award to be accepted or rejected. If such an election is not made, a separate fee shall be paid for each plaintiff, and the mediation panel shall then make separate awards for each claim, which may be individually accepted or rejected.