Hattaways, Inc. v. Smith

MILLS, Judge.

The employer/carrier raise four issues in their appeal from the workers’ compensation order awarding wage loss benefits and penalties. We reverse.

The employer/carrier correctly assert the deputy erred in holding the hearing on this claim before the wage loss benefits were due. Section 440.20(4), Florida Statutes (1979), and Rule 38F-3.18(3)(a) of the Florida Department of Labor and Employment Security, Division of Workers’ Compensation, give the employer/carrier 14 days from the date of receipt to accept the wage loss request and pay benefits. In this case, the hearing was held…