Hernandez v. Manatee County Government/Commercial Risk Management, Inc.

In this workers’ compensation appeal, Claimant argues that the judge of compensation claims (JCC) erred in awarding certain costs to the E/C as a prevailing party after the JCC denied Claimant’s 2008 petition for benefits (PFB). The JCC awarded costs incurred for depositions taken prior to the filing of the 2008 PFB, in *58which the Claimant sought permanent total disability benefits. Claimant argues the doctrine of res judicata prohibits this award, because the JCC had previously denied the E/C’s request for payment of these costs in connection with a 2007 PFB, pursuant to which the Claimant…