Renee Arthurs — ADJ21459493

Applicant Renee Arthurs, a Senior Deputy Probation Officer for the County of Kern, sustained a right shoulder injury on November 19, 2024 while moving a desk. After her deposition, applicant's attorney petitioned for Section 5710 deposition attorney's fees, claiming 1.9 hours (1.1 hours preparation plus 0.8 hours deposition) at $525/hour. A WCJ at the Anaheim District Office issued an Order Allowing Attorney Fees on February 12, 2026, accepting the 1.9 hours but reducing the rate to $400/hour for a total of $760.00. Defendant sought reconsideration on procedural grounds, including lack of a supporting record, no Notice of Intention affording opportunity to object, and failure to consider applicant's initial testimony that preparation lasted only 40 minutes (versus the later-testified 66 minutes). The Board adopted the PWCJ's report, granted reconsideration, rescinded the fee order, and remanded for further proceedings so both parties could be heard on the preparation-time dispute and the appropriate hourly rate.