suggesting that JCC has an independent duty to scrutinize fee motions so as not to award an excessive fee
How later courts described this case
- suggesting that JCC has an independent duty to scrutinize fee motions so as not to award an excessive fee
Written by the judges who cited it.
The opinion
PER CURIAM.
In this workers’ compensation appeal, Claimant challenges an order of the Judge of Compensation Claims (JCC) that awards his counsel $8,860.00 in attorney’s fees for securing reimbursement of medical mileage in the amount of $201.44. Claimant argues the JCC reversibly erred by unilaterally reducing the hours expended based on non-record evidence. We affirm because the record supports the JCC’s finding that the claimed fee was clearly excessive and unconscionable, and even if we were to remand for further proceedings, we have little doubt that upon remand, the employer/carrier (E/C) would introduce evidence establishing that a reasonable fee certainly would not exceed $3,860.00.
WETHERELL, J., concurs; HAWKES, C.J., concurs with opinion; BENTON, J., dissents with opinion.