Judge Can't Order Attorney to File Motion for Fees After Dismissal of Client's Case

Florida's 1st District Court of Appeal last week ruled that a judge of compensation claims could not compel a claimants' attorney to submit a verified motion for fees and costs after the claimant's case was dismissed. The court said the dismissal terminated the judge's ability to take any further action in Milena Soledad's dispute with her former employer. Soledad had worked for Truly Nolen as a pest control technician. She suffered injuries in a work-related car accident in April 2003, and the employer accepted her injuries as compensable. However, Truly Nolen contested...