The work of an applicant's attorney in California's workers' compensation system is rarely a venture in charity—applicant's attorneys are paid a fee out of the applicant's recovery. But there are factual circumstances under which the employer must pay the applicant's attorney's fees in addition to, rather than out of, applicant's benefits.

This can happen when the self-insured employer or the insurer over-advances without reserving funds for attorney fees, which is the subject of an article by Lisa Kasselik of Harbinson Tune Kasselik. The defendant can also be required to pay an applicant's attorney's fee if the defendant files the application for the applicant.

Usually, an employee is injured and fills out a claim form. The employer decides to conduct some form of discovery, such as deposing the applicant or witnesses. But the cases of Donna Yee-Sanchez v. Permanente Medical Group and Natalie Piatt v. Eureka Union School District tell us that discovery is prohibited, (see 8 C.C.R. § 10403), and even sanctionable, before the commencement of a case, and a case is only commenced by the filing of an application for adjudication of claim. (Labor Code § 5500.5)