Painter v. State Ex Rel. Wyoming Worker's Compensation Division

LEHMAN, Justice.

The sole issue presented by this appeal is at what point an injured worker’s right to appointed counsel attaches in a worker’s compensation case. In this case, a hearing examiner appointed counsel for an injured worker and awarded attorney fees although no contested case was requested. The district court found that since there was no contested ease, the hearing examiner lacked jurisdiction to appoint an attorney and award fees. Absent further guidance from the legislature, we hold that an injured employee is entitled to paid legal counsel when the Worker’s Compensation…