United States Department of Labor

Employees’ Compensation Appeals Board

__________________________________________

In the Matter of E.H., Appellant

and

U.S. POSTAL SERVICE, POST OFFICE, 

Aberdeen, MD, Employer

__________________________________________

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Docket No. 19-1352

Issued: July 27, 2023

Appearances: Case Submitted on the Record

Andrew Douglas, Esq., for the appellant

Office of Solicitor, for the Director

ORDER GRANTING FEE PETITION

Before:

PATRICIA H. FITZGERALD, Deputy Chief Judge

JANICE B. ASKIN, Judge

JAMES D. McGINLEY, Alternate Judge

Counsel for appellant has filed a fee petition in the amount of $757.50.1 The Board notes 

that all petitions for approval of fees for representative’s services are considered under the Board’s 

statutory authority found at section 8127 of the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act2(FECA) 

and under its Rules of Procedure found at 20 C.F.R. § 501.9(e).3

Under these regulations, the Board must consider the petition under the following general 

criteria:

(1) The usefulness of the Representative’s services;4

1 FECA (5 U.S.C. § 8127(b)) and its implementing regulations (20 C.F.R. § 501.9) clearly require the Board to 

review each fee petition on its own merits and with regard to the unique facts and issues of each appeal. The 

recognition that each appeal to the Board has unique aspects is reflected in the Board’s orders granting or denying fee 

petitions.

2

5 U.S.C. § 8127.

3

20 C.F.R. § 501.9(e).

4 The Board’s consideration of “usefulness” includes, but is not limited to, the frequency and quality of 

communication by the representative with the client, the factual evidence and legal argument offered, and written 

pleadings filed in the case. The Board will also consider the usefulness of a representative’s work as it aided the Board 

in its consideration and decision of the issue appealed.
2

(2) The nature and complexity of the appeal;5

(3) The capacity in which the Representative has appeared;6

(4) The actual time spent in connection with the Board appeal;7 and

(5) Customary local charges for similar services.8

As required by the Board’s regulations, appellant has been afforded written notice of the 

fee requested and provided an opportunity to comment on the fee petition.9 On January 9, 2020

the Clerk of the Appellate Boards received a signed statement in which appellant indicated that 

the requested fee of $757.50 was reasonable and appropriate. Appellant expressed her 

understanding that she was responsible for payment of the fee.

The requested fees pertain to services performed before the Board in the above-referenced 

appeal. The underlying issue is whether appellant met her burden of proof to establish entitlement 

to compensation after August 21, 2016 due to her accepted May 18, 2015 employment injury. 

On appeal, counsel submitted a 12-page brief, presenting the facts and Board precedent in 

similar cases. By decision dated March 11, 2019, the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs 

(OWCP) found that appellant was not entitled to compensation after August 21, 2016 due to her 

accepted May 18, 2015 employment injury. By decision dated December 18, 2019, the Board 

affirmed the March 11, 2019 decision.

On January 9, 2020 counsel provided a fee petition and a statement of services requesting 

approval of fees totaling $757.50.

OWCP’s decision on appeal was dated March 11, 2019 and the appeal was filed with the 

Board on June 4, 2019. The fee petition requests approval of services from April 9 through

May 28, 2019 and documents 3.03 hours spent in connection with this appeal before the Board at 

$250.00 per hour for 3.03 hours for Andrew Douglas, Esq. The fee petition described the specific 

services provided for the amount claimed.

The Board has carefully reviewed the fee petition andfinds that it satisfies the requirements 

of section 501.9(e) of the Board’s implementing regulations. The Board concludes that the fee 

requested is reasonable.

5 The Board’s evaluation of the “nature and complexity” of an appeal includes, but is not limited to, whether the 

issue appealed is novel or required extensive or unusual factual evidence or legal argument. The Board recognizes 

that not all complex issues are cases of first impression. However, the representative must establish the complex or 

unusual nature of the appeal.

6 The Board’s consideration of the “capacity” in which a representative appears includes, but is not limited to, 

whether the representative obtained a written retainer and fee agreement.

7 The Board’s evaluation of an itemized statement of work and charges includes, but is not limited to, whether the 

statement is clear, detailed, and describes those aspects of the appeal which merit the fee claimed and whether the 

representative has personally affirmed the correctness of the fee. No stipulated or contingent fee will be approved by 

the Board. 20 C.F.R. § 501.9(e).

8 The Board’s consideration of customary, local fees recognizes that representatives often have clients in several 

states and that local custom must be balanced against national practice in FECA appeals.

9

20 C.F.R. § 501.9(e). 
3

The Board notes that under 20 C.F.R. § 501.9(e) “[n]o claim for a fee for legal or other 

service performed on appeal before the Board is valid unless approved by the Board.” Under 18 

U.S.C. § 292, collecting a fee without the approval of the Board may constitute a misdemeanor, 

subject to fine or imprisonment up to a year or both. 

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT the fee petition is granted in the amount of $757.50.

Issued: July 27, 2023

Washington, DC

Patricia H. Fitzgerald, Deputy Chief Judge

Employees’ Compensation Appeals Board

Janice B. Askin, Judge

Employees’ Compensation Appeals Board

James D. McGinley, Alternate Judge

Employees’ Compensation Appeals Board