Opinion ID: 884967
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Lockhart v. New Hampshire Insurance Company

Text: ¶ 4 On October 3, 1996, Doug Lockhart suffered an industrial injury to his right wrist while working as a construction laborer. The insurer, New Hampshire Insurance Company, denied liability for Lockhart's claim and the matter proceeded to a hearing before the Workers' Compensation Court on September 16, 1997. The court found the insurer liable for Lockhart's industrial injury and ordered payment of temporary total disability and medical benefits. The insurer did not appeal the decision of the Workers' Compensation Court and began payment of the court-ordered benefits. ¶ 5 On December 16, 1997, Lockhart motioned the lower court for an order directing the insurer to pay attorney fees of twenty-five percent of the medical benefits directly to Lockhart's attorney. The insurer objected to Lockhart's motion, and by order dated March 4, 1998, the court invited amicus curiae briefs on whether a twenty-five percent fee can and should be deducted from medical benefits being paid due to the efforts of the attorney.