Worker Who Successfully Pursued Claim Couldn't Be Denied Award of Attorney Fees

The 1st District Court of Appeal ruled that a worker was entitled to attorney fees for securing an award of benefits for his claim, even though the benefits were based on a lower impairment level than he had initially claimed. Case: Portu v. City of Coral Gables, No. 1D16-4767, 04/18/2018, published. Facts: Peter Portu worked for the City of Coral Gables as a firefighter. He developed hypertension, and the city accepted liability for his condition. In January 2016, Portu filed a workers’ compensation claim asserting that his hypertension was going to be permanently disabling. He supp...