Gibeau v. Kollsman Instrument Co.

OPINION

MATTHEWS, Justice.

This appeal requires us to decide whether the Workers’ Compensation Board should be required or permitted to award lump-sum attorney’s fees equal to the present value of expected future attorney’s fees, where the claimant’s benefits on which the attorney’s fees are based are paid out periodically for an indefinite period.

Henry Gibeau became a paraplegic as a result of a work-related helicopter accident. After Gibeau’s claim was controverted by his employer, Kollsman Instrument Company (“Kollsman”), the Workers’ Compensation Board (“Board”) awarded Gibeau permanent…