Zenor v. State

412 P.3d 28
Nevada Supreme Court·Decided March 1, 2018·No. No. 71790·Published·Cited by 3 cases

Opinion

By the Court, GIBBONS, J.:

In State, Department of Human Resources v. Fowler , we held that attorney fees were not available under NRS 18.010(2)(a) in a petition for judicial review of an agency determination that did not include monetary recovery. 109 Nev. 782, 786, 858 P.2d 375, 377 (1993). In this appeal, we are asked whether attorney fees are also prohibited under NRS 18.010(2)(b) in petitions for judicial review of an agency determination. We hold that NRS 233B.130(6), which states that the provisions of NRS Chapter 233B provide the exclusive means of judicial action in a petition for judicial review, prohibits an award of attorney fees under NRS 18.010(2)(b) in petitions for judicial review.

FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

Appellant Chad Zenor was employed by respondent Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) when he injured his wrist on the job. Eleven months after the injury, Zenor underwent an examination and received an evaluation signed by his treating physician, Dr. Huene, who determined Zenor was not yet capable of performing his pre-injury job duties. Approximately two months later, Dr. Huene again examined Zenor and determined he could fully use his wrist with a brace as needed. Less than one month after that, Dr. Huene released Zenor "without limitations." Zenor and his wife delivered the full release to NDOT that same day.

Despite the full release, NDOT commenced vocational rehabilitation and separation proceedings against Zenor, ultimately separating him from employment for medical reasons. Zenor appealed and an administrative hearing officer reversed the separation. NDOT petitioned for judicial review and the district court affirmed. Zenor proceeded to file a motion for attorney fees under NRS 18.010(2)(b) on the ground that NDOT unreasonably brought its petition to harass him. The district court denied the motion, holding that NRS 233B.130 prohibited attorney fees in a judicial action of a final agency decision.

DISCUSSION

Standard of review

This court normally reviews an award or denial of attorney fees under NRS 18.010(2)(b) for an abuse of discretion. Mack-Manley v. Manley , 122 Nev. 849, 860, 138 P.3d 525, 532-33 (2006). However, the district court "may not award attorney's fees unless authorized by statute, rule or contract." Fowler, 109 Nev. at 784, 858 P.2d at 376 (citing *30Nev. Bd. of Osteopathic Med. v. Graham, 98 Nev. 174, 175, 643 P.2d 1222, 1223 (1982) ). Further, issues of statutory interpretation are questions of law reviewed de novo. Albios v. Horizon Cmtys., Inc., 122 Nev. 409, 417, 132 P.3d 1022, 1028 (2006).

NRS 233B.130 prohibits attorney fees in petitions for judicial review of agency determinations

NRS 233B.130(6) dictates that the provisions of NRS Chapter 233B "are the exclusive means of judicial review of, or judicial action concerning, a final decision in a contested case involving an agency to which this chapter applies." We noted in Fowler that " NRS 233B.130 does not contain any specific language authorizing the award of attorney's fees in actions involving petitions for judicial review of agency action." 109 Nev. at 785, 858 P.2d at 377. Here, the district court interpreted Fowler to mean that NRS 233B.130 precluded attorney fees in such matters. We conclude that the district court was correct in its interpretation.

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Zenor v. State, 412 P.3d 28 (Neb. 2018).

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