This appeal arises pursuant to the Texas Workers’ Compensation Act, TEX. LAB. CODE ANN. § 401.001 et seq. (1989 Act). A contested case hearing was held on September 17, 2001. The hearing officer resolved the disputed issue by deciding that the $375.00 in attorney’s fees approved by the Texas Workers’ Compensation Commission (Commission) in an order dated June 27, 2001, and the $275.00 in attorney’s fees approved by the Commission in an order dated August 7, 2001, were reasonable and necessary, and approved the payment of those fees, less any of those fees that may have already been paid. The appellant (claimant) appealed and the respondent (attorney) responded.
DECISION
The hearing officer did not err in deciding that the contested attorney’s fees were reasonable and necessary, and in approving payment of those fees. The standard of review in attorney’s fees cases is abuse of discretion. Texas Workers’ Compensation Commission Appeal No. 92375, decided September 14, 1992. The attorney’s fees were within the guidelines provided in Tex. W.C. Comm’n, 28 TEX. ADMIN. CODE § 152.4. The hearing officer determined that the attorney’s services for which the fees were charged were reasonable, necessary, and actually performed. We conclude that the hearing officer did not abuse his discretion in approving the attorney’s fees.
The hearing officer’s decision and order are affirmed.
Robert W. Potts – Appeals Judge
CONCUR:
Susan M. Kelley – Appeals Judge
Thomas A. Knapp – Appeals Judge