Court: Fee Agreement Only on Comp Benefits

The contingent fee agreement applies only to compensation benefits, not to unreasonable contest counsel fees or penalty awards, the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court ruled. In Costello v. Workers' Compensation Appeal Board, No. 1808 C.D. 2005, 05/2406, Claimant filed a penalty petition against Employer alleging that Employer had violated the Pennsylvania Workers' Compensation Act, by disregarding the order circulated by WCJ Patricia M. Bachman on July 31, 2003. Specifically, the claimant alleged that his employer failed to pay litigation costs and counsel fees associated with the July 31, 200...