Hernandez v. PALMETTO GENERAL HOSPITAL

In this workers’ compensation appeal, Claimant seeks reversal of an order of the Judge of Compensation Claims (JCC) dismissing all of her pending petitions for benefits (PFBs) with prejudice. The JCC dismissed the PFBs based on Claimant’s failure to pay, and her failure to attend a hearing to explain her failure to pay, the costs entered against her after the dismissal of several prior PFBs. Because the record does not establish that Claimant’s failure to attend the hearing was a willful or flagrant disregard of the JCC’s authority, the JCC abused his discretion in dismissing the PFBs on that…