Memo To Judges, Lawyers: Fees Cannot Exceed 20%

New Jersey's top workers' compensation judge issued a reminder to judges and attorneys that claimants' counsel fees must not exceed 20% of any award. Division of Workers' Compensation Chief Judge/Director Russell Wojtenko said in a Dec. 11 memo posted on the DWC's website that judges have the discretion to award a reasonable counsel fee, but it cannot be more than one fifth of the award, according to state statute. “When awarding a counsel fee, judges of compensation must consider all the circumstances of the case and the value of the services perform...