: The Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board of California granted reconsideration to further study the factual and legal issues in the case of John Lett vs. L.A.C.M.T.A. and The Travelers Insurance Company. After review, the Board affirmed the decision of the Workers’ Compensation Administrative Law Judge that there was no legal requirement that an applicant sign their deposition transcript prior to allowing reasonable attorney’s fees under Labor Code section 5710. The Board found that the requirements for setting a fee were satisfied and that there was no legal or public policy basis for making the allowance of reasonable deposition attorney’s fees dependent on whether an applicant signs their deposition.
L.A.C.M.T.A.; The Travelers Insurance Company John Lett WORKERS’ COMPENSATION APPEALS BOARDSTATE OF CALIFORNIAJOHN LETT, Applicant,Vs.L.A.C.M.T.A.; THE TRAVELERS INSURANCE COMPANY, Defendant(s). Case No. VNO 0378504; VNO 0378505;VNO 0382578; VNO 0402513; VNO 0462718OPINION AND DECISION AFTER RECONSIDERATION On December 15, 2003, the Appeals Board granted reconsideration to further study the factual and legal issues in this matter, so as to give us a complete understanding of the record and enable us to issue a just and reasoned decision. Having completed our study, we hereby issue our Decision After Reconsideration. On May 9, 2003, the applicant’s deposition was taken by defendant. On May 14, 2003, pursuant to the petition filed by applicant’s counsel, the workers’ compensation administrative law judge (WCJ) issued a conditional order allowing applicant’s counsel attorney’s fees of $416.60 in accordance with Labor Code section 5710.1 1 Pursuant t