Bambino v. Workmen's Compensation Appeal Board

Opinion by

President Judge Crumlish, Jr.,

Helen V. Bambino appeals a Workmen’s Compensation Appeal Board order which affirmed a referee’s denial of counsel fees. We affirm.

Bambino’s husband filed a claim for workmen’s compensation after he contracted an occupational disease. Prior to his claim’s resolution, he died, and Bambino filed and reached settlement on a fatal claim petition. Bambino, alleging that the insurer had not established a “reasonable basis” for contesting her claim, petitioned for counsel fees under Section 440 of the Workmen’s Compensation Act.1 The referee denied the petition…