FOOD FAIR STORES, INC., A SELF-INSURER, PETITIONER,
v.
LOUIS TOKAYER AND THE FLORIDA INDUSTRIAL COMMISSION, RESPONDENTS

Fla. | 1964-09-23
No. 33319
DREW, C. J., and ROBERTS, O’CON-NELL and CALDWELL, JT., concur.
167 So. 2d 563 Florida Supreme Court (1964) Positive Treatment
Cited by 14 cases

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Synopsis

This case concerns whether electrocardiograms constitute "remedial treatment" that tolls the statute of limitations for filing workers' compensation claims. The Florida Supreme Court held that electrocardiograms do qualify as remedial treatment, thereby extending the time for the claimant to file for additional medical benefits.


Holding

Yes, the court held that providing electrocardiograms constitutes remedial treatment. Therefore, the time limits for filing claims for additional medical benefits were extended, and the claimant's claim was not time-barred.


Key Quotes

“It is our view that the deputy commissioner correctly dealt with the cause by considering and determining separately the petition for modification under Sec. 440.28, supra, and the application for additional medical benefits and that he was right in holding that the former was precluded by the limitations of the act inasmuch as the time during which a petition for modification may be filed begins with the last payment of compensation or rejection of the claim.”

The court's initial agreement with the deputy commissioner regarding the timeliness of the modification petition.

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Facts & Procedural History

The claimant suffered a myocardial infarction in 1957 and received temporary total disability and permanent partial benefits via a stipulation approve…

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Opinion of the Court
THOMAS, Justice.

THOMAS, Justice.

The claimant suffered a myocardial infarction 24 September 1957 and filed a claim for compensation which was resolved by stipulation 27 June 1958. Under the terms of the agreement, approved by the deputy 9 July 1958, he received temporary total disability benefits for the period from 24 September 1957 to 28 February 1958, and 15 per cent, permanent partial benefits.

The claimant was reimbursed for past medical expenses, and all monies due under the stipulation were paid in July 1958.

Afterwards the claimant made three visits to a physician: 21 July 1958, 23 February 1959 and 14 June 1960 at which times nothing occurred except the taking of electrocardiograms.

On 5 October 1960 a claim was filed for medical benefits and it was in abeyance until 13 July 1962. Meanwhile, 3 April 1962, the attorneys for the claimant requested a modification of the order of 9 July 1958, confirming the stipulation, on the grounds that a change had occurred in claimant’s condition and a mistake had been made in a determination of fact.

Upshot of this hearing, eventually held 13 July 1962, was that the deputy commissioner decided the petition to modify had come too late since modification on the grounds of change of condition or mistake of fact under Sec. 440.28 of Workmen’s Compensation Law is authorized only within two years after the date of the last compensation payment or within two years of notice of rejection of compensation. Obviously, then, the petition in the instant case, filed 3 April 1962, came beyond the two-year period computed from July 1958.

It is our view that the deputy commissioner correctly dealt with the cause by considering and determining separately the petition for modification under Sec. 440.28, supra, and the application for additional medical benefits and that he was right in holding that the former was precluded by the limitations of the act inasmuch as the time during which a petition for modification may be filed begins with the last payment of compensation or rejection of the claim. We find in the record no payment of compensation subsequent to the compliance with the stipulation.

Moreover, the deputy found that the intervening petition for “medical benefits”, filed 5 October 1960, was barred by the limitations prescribed in Sec. 440.13(3) (b) requiring such claims to be presented within two years “after the date of the last remedial treatment furnished by the employer, or after the date of the last payment of compensation.”

Upon review the Full Commission overturned the deputy’s order having the view, one member dissenting, that the “attendance” required by Sec. 440.13(1) is encompassed within the term “remedial treatment” therefore, the time limits of Secs. 440.13(3) (b) and 440.19 (1) (a) applied. Thus the Commission introduced the latter section to which the deputy had not referred, and which we consider irrelevant since the provisions of that section seem to hinge on absence of any award, a situation not present in this case.

We agree with the Commission that the pivotal point in the case is whether or not the electrocardiograms were of such character as to toll the operation of the law fixing a limitation on the presentation of claims.

The Commission stressed Sec. 440.13(1) making it the obligation of the employer to furnish to the employee such “remedial treatment, care, and attendance under the direction and supervision of a qualified physician or surgeon * * * for such period, as the nature of the injury or the process of recovery may require * * We have italicized the word “attendance” as *565the Commission did in its order rejecting the view urged by the petitioner that the electrocardiograms were but mere “diagnostic procedure.” The Commission thought these tests constituted “attendance” within the purview of the act just quoted and being so would bring into play the provisions of Secs. 440.13(3) (b) and 440.-19(1) (a). Under the first of these, the period for filing claims begins with the furnishing of “remedial attention.” We have already said that the second is inapposite.

We agree with the Commission that providing electrocardiograms amounted to remedial treatment.

The order of the Full Commission is quashed with directions that the order of ■the deputy be affirmed in its denial of the petition for modification, but reversed insofar as it denies the petition for additional medical care.

DREW, C. J., and ROBERTS, O’CON-NELL and CALDWELL, JT., concur.


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Citator

Cited By

  • Watson v. DELTA Airlines, Inc., 288 So. 2d 193 (Fla. 1973)
    …(Retired), J., concur. ROBERTS, Acting C. J., and ADKINS, J., dissent. . This distinction is pointed out by Mr. Justice O’Connell in Iowa National Mutual Ins. Co. v. Webb, 174 So. 2d 21, 23 (Fla.1965). . Citing Food Fair Stores, Inc. v. Tokayer, 167 So. 2d 563 (Fla.1964).…
  • Barnett v. EMR Telemetry & Travelers Ins. Co., 396 So. 2d 791 (Fla. 1st DCA 1981)
    …s condition was not properly diagnosed and that the doctor’s ministrations amounted to no more than a “no help” visit does not, in our view, mandate a determination that the medical attention was non-remedial. Cf., Food Fair Stores, Inc. v. Tokayer, 167 So. 2d 563 (Fla. 1964); Daniell v. Florida Pulp & Paper Co., supra. [*793] Viewing the totality of the circumstances here, we find that the August 7th visit constituted remedial attention and treatment sufficient to toll the statute of limitations. Accordingly…
  • Keller Kitchen Cabinets & Alexis, Inc. v. Holder, 586 So. 2d 1132 (Fla. 1st DCA 1991)
    …enefits continue to be paid. E.g. Dean v. McLeod, 270 So. 2d 726 (Fla.1972); Brantley v. ADH Building Contractors, Inc., [*1138] 215 So. 2d 297 (Fla.1968); Mansell v. Mulberry Const. Co., 196 So. 2d 436 (Fla.1967); Food Fair Stores, Inc. v. Tokayer, 167 So. 2d 563 (Fla.1964); Ford v. Alexander Cabinet Co., 467 So. 2d 1050 (Fla. 1st DCA 1985); Budget Luxury Inns v. Boston, 407 So. 2d 997 (Fla. 1st DCA 1981). Early on, the harsh and sometimes irrational results that flowed from this construction and application…

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