Vincent Jones v. Food Lion, Inc. and Risk Management Services

In this workers’ compensation appeal, Claimant argues the Judge of Compensation Claims (JCC) erred in finding that his claim for permanent total disability benefits was not ripe for adjudication because Claimant had not reached overall maximum medical improvement according to his authorized healthcare providers. Claimant argued below that his claim was nonetheless ripe given this Court’s reasoning in Westphal v. City of St. Petersburg (Westphal I), 122 So.3d 440 (Fla. 1st DCA 2013) (en banc). In Westphal I, this Court held:

[A] worker who is totally disabled as a result of a workplace accident…