CompFox AI Summary
This case involves a defendant's challenge to an administrative law judge's (WCJ) attorney's fee award. The WCJ previously increased the applicant's permanent disability rating and awarded the attorney a fee based on the present value of potential future cost-of-living increases to the applicant's life pension, using a speculative 4.7% annual increase. The Appeals Board granted reconsideration, rescinded the award, and returned the case to the trial level. This action was taken because the issue of basing attorney's fees on future Labor Code section 4659(c) increases, and their calculation, was never properly litigated or discussed by the parties. The applicant's attorney bears the burden of proof on this issue at the new hearing.
Full Decision Text1 Pages
This case involves a defendant's challenge to an administrative law judge's (WCJ) attorney's fee award. The WCJ previously increased the applicant's permanent disability rating and awarded the attorney a fee based on the present value of potential future cost-of-living increases to the applicant's life pension, using a speculative 4.7% annual increase. The Appeals Board granted reconsideration, rescinded the award, and returned the case to the trial level. This action was taken because the issue of basing attorney's fees on future Labor Code section 4659(c) increases, and their calculation, was never properly litigated or discussed by the parties. The applicant's attorney bears the burden of proof on this issue at the new hearing.
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