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Case Law Database

Access over workers' compensation decisions, including En Banc, Significant Panel Decisions, and writ-denied cases.

Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Claim of Marchese v. New York State Department of Correctional Services

Claimant, injured in October 1997, initially received full wages from their employer, then workers' compensation benefits after employment termination. Following an award of benefits in February 2000, a dispute arose regarding the payment of claimant's counsel fee. The Workers’ Compensation Board ruled that the fee should be paid in installments from continuing payments to the claimant, rather than from the portion reimbursing the employer. Claimant appealed this decision, arguing that continuing payments were subject to adjustment and thus not an award of compensation. The Appellate Division affirmed the Board's decision, emphasizing the Board's broad discretion under Workers’ Compensation Law § 24 and finding no unfairness in the payment method, as the award was sufficient to cover both employer reimbursement and the attorneys' lien.

Attorney FeesWorkers' Compensation LawLien on CompensationContinuing PaymentsBoard DiscretionAppellate ReviewEmployer ReimbursementAward Payment MethodStatutory InterpretationCounsel Fee
References
2
Case No. ADJ3687516
Regular
Jan 26, 2012

RAMONA ANAYA, JUAN JOSE GONZALEZ, JESUS CERVANTES, JULIE ANN CABEZA, WALTER CRABTREE vs. PORT HUENEME UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT, J. M. SMUCKERS, SPECIALTY RISK SERVICES, AMERICAN TECHNOLOGIES, INC., AIG DOMESTIC CLAIMS, INC., GHL ENTERPRISES, CIGA, INTERCARE INSURANCE SERVICES, INC., PAULA INSURANCE COMPANY, MARY HEALTH OF THE SICK, REDISED INSURANCE, CRAWFY AND COMPANY, M.R. AUTOMOTIVE, CIGA, Administrative inTERCARE INSURANCE SERVICES, HIH AMERICA COMPENSATION

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied Attorney M. Francesca Hannan's request for a waiver of fees or a payment plan for reporter's transcripts. Hannan sought the transcripts to support allegations of bias by a Workers' Compensation Judge and claimed financial hardship and limited time for preparation. The Board found no legal basis for the fee waiver or payment plan under applicable rules and statutes, though it affirmed Hannan's right to obtain the transcripts upon payment.

WCABPetitionReporter's TranscriptFee WaiverPayment PlanGovernment Code 68632Administrative Director Rule 9990Appeals Board Rule 10740AnayaLien Trial
References
0
Case No. 91 B 10891
Regular Panel Decision

In Re Financial News Network Inc.

This memorandum decision addresses motions by Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher and Kramer, Levin, Nessen, Kamin & Frankel, counsel for the debtor (Financial News Network, FNN) and the equipment lessors committee respectively, seeking payment of prepetition fees in FNN's Chapter 11 bankruptcy case. Gibson, Dunn sought payment through the assumption of an employment agreement at a premium rate, while Kramer, Levin sought compensation under Section 503(b) for substantial contribution. The court denied Gibson, Dunn's motion, ruling that professional compensation is governed by Sections 327-330 of the Bankruptcy Code, not Section 365, and rejected the "doctrine of necessity" in this context. Kramer, Levin's motion for prepetition fees was also denied, without prejudice, as the court deemed the determination of "substantial contribution" premature and best addressed at the conclusion of the case.

Chapter 11Bankruptcy LawPrepetition FeesCounsel FeesExecutory ContractProfessional CompensationDoctrine of NecessitySubstantial ContributionDebtor-in-possessionBankruptcy Code Section 365
References
24
Case No. ADJ994369
Regular
Jan 19, 2014

JOSE JUAREZ vs. WATKINS MANUFACTURING CORPORATION

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) is reconsidering a decision that awarded the applicant medical mileage and a penalty for unreasonable delay in compensation payments but denied attorney's fees. The WCAB believes attorney's fees are warranted under Labor Code section 5814.5 for enforcing the payment of awarded compensation. The case is being returned to the trial level for the judge to determine and award these attorney's fees.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for ReconsiderationFindings and AwardMedical Mileage Expense ReimbursementAttorney's FeesLabor Code Section 5814Labor Code Section 5813Labor Code Section 5814.5Cumulative Industrial InjuryPulmonary System Injury
References
0
Case No. ADJ7016910, ADJ7016880
Regular
Jan 25, 2017

DENNIS LEBER vs. HOWARDS APPLIANCES, INSURANCE COMPANY OF THE WEST

This case involves a lien dismissal for non-payment of a $100 activation fee. The lien claimant argues they had until December 31, 2015, to pay based on a federal court order and a DWC Newsline. The Appeals Board intends to rescind the dismissal if the fee is paid within ten days, based on the interpretation that the federal court order allowed payment between November 9 and December 31, 2015. If the fee is paid, the lien claim will proceed to the trial level.

Lien activation feeLabor Code § 4903.06Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardReconsiderationOrder Dismissing Lien ClaimDWC NewslineU.S. District CourtPreliminary injunctionAngelotti Chiropractic v. BakerDIR Newsline
References
1
Case No. ADJ1390531
Regular
Aug 06, 2015

SARITA JANE BISSETT GARCIA vs. PEACE AND JOY CARE CENTER, ILLINOIS MIDWEST INSURANCE AGENCY

This case involves a workers' compensation appeal where the Court of Appeal remanded the matter to the Board for attorney's fees. Defense counsel informed the Board that a total of $\$11,000.00$ in attorney's fees was agreed upon, with an initial payment of $\$7,500.00$ and an additional $\$3,500.00$. The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board has issued an award for these agreed-upon appellate attorney's fees. This award is payable in addition to any compensation provided to the applicant.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardAttorney's FeesLabor Code § 5801Petition for Writ of ReviewCourt of AppealRemandAppellate Attorney's FeesPeace and Joy Care CenterVirginia Surety Inc.Marvin L. Mathis
References
1
Case No. ADJ2345295
Regular
Aug 26, 2010

JOSEPHINE RICHAU vs. SAN FRANCISCO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT, INSURANCE CORPORATION OF HANNOVER by MIDLANDS CLAIMS ADMINISTRATORS

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) dismissed the defendant's petition for reconsideration regarding supplemental attorney's fees. The defendant sought to overturn an award of $3,120.00 in fees and $297.66 in costs to the applicant's attorney. However, the applicant's attorney confirmed that these fees had already been paid and no further payment was sought. Therefore, the defendant's petition was rendered moot, as the original award, issued under Labor Code section 5801 due to an unreasonable petition for writ of review by the defendant, was satisfied.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardSupplemental Attorney's FeesReconsiderationPetition for Writ of ReviewLabor Code Section 5801Total Permanent DisabilityMethicillin Resistant Staphylococcus AureusIndustrial InjurySpine InjurySpecial Education Teacher
References
5
Case No. ADJ207630 (VNO 0423900), ADJ4689357 (VNO 0462906)
Regular
Feb 11, 2015

MANUEL PASQUIER vs. VOLUTONE DISTRIBUTING COMPANY, VIRGINIA SURETY INSURANCE COMPANY

This case concerns applicant Manuel Pasquier's petition for reconsideration of a Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) decision. The WCAB initially found that the defendant unreasonably delayed three lump sum payments, resulting in interest, a $10,000 penalty under Labor Code § 5814, and attorney's fees. Pasquier argued for multiple penalties, citing the distinct nature of the payments, while the WCAB affirmed the single penalty, viewing the late payments as one act of unreasonable delay. The majority also upheld the WCJ's attorney's fee calculation, disagreeing with Pasquier's claim for higher fees and hours. However, one Board member dissented, arguing that the three distinct payments (disability indemnity, MSA seed money, and attorney's fees) constituted separate acts of unreasonable delay, each warranting an individual penalty, and supported the higher attorney's fee rate.

Compromise and ReleaseJoint Findings of Fact and Orderunreasonable delaylump sum paymentsLabor Code section 5814attorney's feeLabor Code section 5814.5Petition for Reconsiderationworkers' compensation administrative law judgeseparate acts
References
12
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

In re Headlee Management Corp.

This memorandum decision addresses a Chapter 7 trustee's motion to disgorge interim Chapter 11 professional fees. The trustee sought disgorgement due to the administrative insolvency of the Chapter 7 estate, which would prevent pro rata distribution to Chapter 11 administrative claimants if interim payments were retained. Chief United States Bankruptcy Judge Cecelia G. Morris denied the motion. The court concluded that the Bankruptcy Code, specifically §§ 726(b) and 330(a)(5), does not provide statutory authority to compel disgorgement of interim fees solely based on administrative insolvency upon conversion. It further determined that § 105(a) cannot be used to create such a remedy when the Code already provides specific provisions for fee recovery.

BankruptcyChapter 7Chapter 11Professional FeesDisgorgementAdministrative InsolvencyInterim FeesConverted CaseBankruptcy Code Section 726(b)Bankruptcy Code Section 330(a)(5)
References
25
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Claim of Cummins v. North Medical Family Physicians

A claimant sustained a work-related back injury and sought continued medical treatment, which was initially authorized. Disputes over authorization led the claimant to retain an attorney. A Workers’ Compensation Law Judge authorized continued medical treatment but denied counsel fees, stating no "money passing" occurred. The Workers' Compensation Board upheld this decision. The claimant appealed, arguing the Board unconstitutionally applied Workers’ Compensation Law § 24, misinterpreted the statute regarding fee payment from medical benefits, and abused its discretion. The appellate court affirmed the Board's decision, ruling that counsel fees must be paid from "compensation," defined as a money allowance, and medical benefits are not considered "compensation" for this purpose, thus finding no abuse of discretion.

Workers' CompensationCounsel FeesAttorney FeesMedical TreatmentStatutory InterpretationConstitutional LawLienCompensation DefinitionAppellate ReviewBoard Decision
References
3
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