THE CITY OF FORT LAUDERDALE AND GALLAGHER BASSETT SERVICES, INC., APPELLANTS,
v.
MENISIER ST. LOUIS, APPELLEE

Fla. 1st DCA | 2005-11-30
No. 1D04-4527
ALLEN, VAN NORTWICK and POLSTON, JJ., concur.
917 So. 2d 224 Florida District Court of Appeal, First District (2005) Positive Treatment
Cited by 1 case

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Synopsis

In this workers' compensation appeal, the First District Court of Appeal affirmed a Judge of Compensation Claims' order finding that an employee's petition for benefits was not barred by the statute of limitations under Florida law, because the employer failed to inform the employee of his rights and the applicable limitations period.


Holding

The court affirmed that the claimant's petition was not barred by the statute of limitations because competent substantial evidence supported the JCC's findings that the claimant was never advised of his rights and the limitations period, and his ignorance of these requirements accounted for his failure to seek benefits timely.


Headnotes

[1] A statute of limitations in workers' compensation may be tolled when the claimant is unaware of their rights, benefits, and procedures, including the limitations period,…

[2] An employer or servicing agent has a duty to inform a claimant of their rights, benefits, and procedures under the Florida Workers' Compensation Law, including the limita…

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Key Quotes

“the claimant was never advised by the employer/servicing agent of the rights, benefits and procedures, including the limitations period, under the Florida Workers' Compensation Law; that the claimant was unaware of such rights, benefits and procedures, and specifically unaware of the limitations period; and that this ignorance accounted for his failure to obtain care within the limitations period”

Establishes the factual basis for excusing the statute of limitations requirement

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Facts & Procedural History

Menisier St. Louis sustained a compensable workplace injury while employed by the City of Fort Lauderdale. The employer/servicing agent never advised …

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Opinion of the Court
PER CURIAM.

PER CURIAM.

In this workers’ compensation appeal, The City of Fort Lauderdale and Gallagher Bassett Services, Inc. (jointly the employer/servicing agent), appeal an order of the Judge of Compensation Claims (JCC) finding that the petition for benefits filed by Menisier St. Louis, claimant and appellant, was not barred by the statute of limitations. See § 440.19, Fla. Stat. (Supp. 1994). In the order on appeal the JCC found, pursuant to the parties’ stipulation, that the claimant’s injuries were sustained in a compensable workplace accident and that claimant was entitled to receive causally related benefits; and further expressly certified that the determination of the exact nature and amount of benefits due to the claimant will require substantial expense and time.

Thus, we have jurisdiction pursuant to rule 9.180(b)(1)(C), Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure.

The record contains competent substantial evidence supporting the findings of the JCC that the claimant was never advised by the employer/servicing agent of the rights, benefits and procedures, including the limitations period, under the Florida Workers’ Compensation Law; that the claimant was unaware of such rights, benefits and procedures, and specifically unaware of the limitations period; and that this ignorance accounted for his failure to obtain care within the limitations period. See § 440.19(4), Fla. Stat. (Supp.1994); Fontanills v. Hillsborough County School Bd., 913 So. 2d 28 (Fla. 1st DCA, 2005); Crutcher v. School Bd. of Broward County, 834 So. 2d 228, 229 (Fla. 1st DCA 2002); Tallahassee Mem’l Healthcare, Inc. v. Coleman, 743 So. 2d 1200, 1201 (Fla. 1st DCA 1999).

Accordingly, we affirm the JCC’s order. ALLEN, VAN NORTWICK and POLSTON, JJ., concur.


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Cited By

  • …y v. AMS Staff Leasing, 993 So. 2d 1071 (Fla. 1st DCA 2008); Sun Sentinel & Tribune Co. v. Petrovich, 744 So. 2d 1056 (Fla. 1st DCA 1999); Cadco Builders, Inc. v. Roberts, 712 So. 2d 457 (Fla. 1st DCA 1998). Cf. City of Fort Lauderdale v. St. Louis, 917 So. 2d 224 (Fla. 1st DCA 2005). WOLF, THOMAS, and CLARK, JJ., concur.…

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