Ssa Terminals v. Ronnie Bell

MEMORANDUM

In case number 14-70201, employer SSA Terminals and its insurer Homeport Insurance Company challenge the Benefits Review Board’s (“BRB’s”) decision granting employee Ronnie Bell attorney’s fees under the fee-shifting provisions of the Long-shore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act, 33 U.S.C. § 928 , (“LHWCA”). In case number- 14-70218, Bell challenges the BRB’s decision upholding the ALJ’s determination of his counsels’ hourly rates. We affirm the BRB’s decision in both cases.

On August 31, 2009, Bell injured his knee in a work-related accident. He timely filed a claim for disability benefits, and the District Director of the United States Department of Labor’s Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs recommended that SSA Terminals pay the claim. Despite this recommendation, SSA Terminals declined to pay Bell any benefits within thirty days of receiving notice of his claim. On October 8, 2010, more than one year after Bell sustained his injury, SSA Terminals paid him some of the retroactive disability benefits it owed to him, and set up a schedule to pay him the remaining outstanding benefits. On November 29, 2010, SSA Terminals agreed to pay Bell ongoing future…