Wattenbarger v. Boise Cascade Corp.

This is an appeal of a proceeding under ORS 656.388(2) to determine attorney fees in a workers’ compensation case. Claimant seeks an increase in the fee awarded and argues that the “reasonable attorney’s fee” provided for by statute should reflect the risk factor involved in a contingent fee arrangement, and hence, that a multiplier should have been utilized to establish a reasonable fee in this case. We reject claimant’s argument and affirm the judgment of the circuit court.

In the underlying workers’ compensation aggravation claim, the referee awarded claimant permanent total disability. The…