Court Opinion

ID: 9553030
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-07 19:21:00.608234+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:29:35.156876
License: Public Domain

JACKSON, Judge
(concurring specially):
Aldrich’s standing is questioned regarding its pursuit of three separate claims: (1) violation of Mr. Karbakhsh’s due process by the Commission’s Board of Review; (2) approval of counsel fees pursuant to Utah Code Admin.P. R562-18b; and (3) failure to hold a hearing on remand. I agree that Aldrich’s standing on the due process issue relating to Karbakhsh should be analyzed under the general standing principles set forth in Jenkins v. Swan, 675 P.2d 1145 (Utah 1983). Moreover, I agree that Aldrich does not pass standing muster for this issue. Further, I agree that Aldrich has standing to pursue the attorney fee issue.
But, I do not agree that the Jenkins analysis is necessary to determine Aldrich’s standing regarding issues of fees and failure to hold a hearing on remand because Aldrich is fully qualified to bring the action because of the Industrial Commission’s own procedure and practice. Section R562-18b of the Administrative Code is entitled “Approval of Counsel Fees.” This Section sets forth a detailed procedure whereby the “claimant’s representative” may seek approval of a fee for counsel. The Commission provides an approval form through its appeals office and criteria for evaluation of the fee petition with a twenty-five percent limitation unless the limitation would preclude pursuit of appellate court review or due process. Utah Code Admin.P. R562-18b-2, -3 (1994). Finally, the Administrative Code provides a procedure for appealing Commission rulings on fees. Utah Code Admin.P. R562-18b-4. Because the Commission confers standing directly upon the “claimant’s representative,” and provides a collateral procedure, we need not look elsewhere for our analysis.