Simpson v. American Custom Interiors

The appellant, Clifford Simpson, challenges a determination that he is not entitled to recover workers’ compensation benefits in the future because he made a misrepresentation of fact, in violation of sections 440.09(4) and 440.105(4)(b)(l), Florida Statutes. We conclude that the judge of compensation claims lacked jurisdiction to rule on the underlying indemnity claim. Therefore, the petition for benefits should have been dismissed without a ruling on the merits of the misrepresentation defense.

In April of 2003, Simpson filed a petition for benefits seeking indemnity benefits and…