Fee Award Too Small for Catastrophically Injured Worker's Attorney

A Florida appellate court overturned a fee award to a catastrophically injured worker’s attorney, finding counsel had been substantially short-changed by the reduction below the amount requested and the guideline amount. Michael Rudolph represented a worker who was rendered a ventilator-dependent quadriplegic by an industrial accident in 1993. The worker settled the indemnity portion of his case in 1995, but he litigated his rights to receive medical benefits for decades. At least six attorneys represented the worker before Rudolph successfully negotiated a $1.33 million sett...