Uniweld Products, Inc. v. Lopez

The employer and carrier challenge the deputy commissioner's order awarding catastrophic loss benefits, temporary partial disability benefits, and permanent impairment benefits due to amputation, pursuant to section 440.15, Florida Statutes (1983). We reverse.

The claimant amputated the tips of her right middle and ring fingers while operating a metal punch machine. A plastic surgeon applied skin grafts to the ends of her fingers; neuromas developed which made the tips of her fingers especially sensitive. Her orthopedic surgeon suggested surgery to alleviate the sensitivity problem, but she…