Opinion ID: 874408
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: The Commission's award of attorney fees to Mr. Neel is vacated.

Text: Under I.C. § 72-804 and IDAPA 17.02.08.033, the Commission may award attorney fees in any proceeding if it determines that the employer or its surety has refused to pay the claimant benefits provided by law without reasonable ground. The Commission awarded attorney fees below to Mr. Neel on the basis that it was unreasonable for Surety to refuse full payment for Mr. Neel's medical bills. As noted above, the issue raised in this appeal is an issue of first impression before this Court. We cannot say it was unreasonable for Surety to take the position it did. Accordingly, we vacate the Commission's award of attorney fees. For the same reason, we decline to award any attorney fees on appeal.