Flowers v. Acousti Engineering Co. of Florida

The claimant, James A. Flowers, appeals the order of the Judge of Compensation Claims (JCC) denying approval of the parties’ written, signed stipulation. Ap-pellees, the employer/carrier, filed notice of their intent not to file an answer brief and not to take any steps opposing the claimant’s position. In their stipulation, the parties had agreed that the employer/carrier would pay the sums of $900.00 for the claimant’s attorney’s fees and $139.93 for costs. Without affording the parties appropriate notice and a reasonable opportunity to be heard before denying the parties’ stipulation, the…