Section 13960.

(a) Judicial review of a final decision made pursuant to this chapter may be had by filing a petition for a writ of mandate in accordance with Section 1094.5 of the Code of Civil Procedure. The right to petition shall not be affected by the failure to seek reconsideration before the board. The petition shall be filed as follows:

(1) Where no request for reconsideration is made, within 30 calendar days of personal delivery or within 60 calendar days of the mailing of the board's decision on the application for compensation.

(2) Where a timely request for reconsideration is filed and rejected by the board, within 30 calendar days of personal delivery or within 60 calendar days of the mailing of the notice of rejection.

(3) Where a timely request for reconsideration is filed and granted by the board, or reconsideration is ordered by the board, within 30 calendar days of personal delivery or within 60 calendar days of the mailing of the final decision on the reconsidered application.

(b) (1) In an action resulting in the issuance of a writ of mandate pursuant to this section the court may order the board to pay to the applicant's attorney reasonable attorney's fees or one thousand dollars ($1,000), whichever is less. If action is taken by the board in favor of the applicant in response to the filing of the petition, but prior to a judicial determination, the board shall pay the applicant's costs of filing the petition.

(2) In case of appeal by the board of a decision on the petition for writ of mandate that results in a decision in favor of the applicant, the court may order the board to pay to the applicant's attorney reasonable attorney fees.

(3) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit or limit an award of attorney's fees pursuant to Section 1021.5 of the Code of Civil Procedure.

(Added by Stats. 2002, Ch. 1141, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2003.)