Travelers Indemnity Co. of Connecticut v. Mayfield

in which GONZALEZ, HECHT, ENOCH, OWEN, and ABBOTT, Justices, joined.

In the workers’ compensation suit underlying this original mandamus proceeding, the trial court appointed an attorney to represent the claimant, ordering the carrier to pay opposing counsel’s fees as the case progressed. While not challenging the appointment itself, the carrier contends that the trial court abused its discretion and caused irreparable harm by requiring it to pay for the claimant’s attorney. Because we agree, we conditionally grant the writ of mandamus.

I

Real party in interest Aliene Reed, a 49 year-old office…