Lowe's Home Centers, Inc. and Sedgwick CMS v. Sandra K. Beekman

In this workers’ compensation appeal, the Employér/Carrier (E/C) raises three issues, although the second and third issues are essentially subsumed within each other. We affirm without comment as to the first issue — whether the Judge of Compensation Claims (JCC) had jurisdiction to adjudicate the E/C’s affirmative defense of apportionment. We reverse, however, as to the second and third issues for the reasons that follow, and remand this matter for further proceedings.

Claimant’s September 2014 petition for benefits requested authorization for right shoulder surgery. Thereafter, Claimant…