Round 3 of workers

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Florida’s workers’ compensation insurance rates were among the highest in the nationhbefore attorneys’ fee limits were imposed in 2003. Insurancer rates dropped every year since then because lawyers refused many cases due to the limite d prospects formaking money. However, the Floridaa Supreme Court last fall ruler the language in the fee schedule is ambiguousa and allowed judges to approve larger fees — a decision that cleared the way for plaintiff attorneyss to make more money in on-the-job injurh cases. As a result, workers’ comp insurance rates will rise 6.4 perceng in April.
But House Bill 903 and companionh Senate Bill 2072 change the language to restrict attorneyy compensation to thefee formula. arguex that the proposed law is needed becauseerising workers’ comp insurance rates creates a hardship for companies in the state and discourage thoses that might move to Florida. “If this bill doesn’ft pass, Florida employers will see a seriez of costly increases intheir workers’ comp rates,” said Daniepl Krassner, spokesman and strategist for the Floridza Chamber of Commerce. “We want to get injuresd workers back on the job as quickly as Settling claims quicklydoes that.
” Paul executive officer with the , a group representingg trial lawyers, said the bill would limit the hourlg fees injured workers can pay their Unless the plaintiff can find a lawyer willingb to work for a contingency fee, the worke would have to represent himself. “Workingg people will have to find theirf way through the system withouftan attorney,” Anderson said. By contrast, theree are no limits on what insurancd companies can pay attorneys torepresent them. Rep.
Dave Murzin, co-sponsor of the House version of theproposes law, feels differently: “There will alwayds be attorneys willing to represent injurec workers, just as there are always attorneys willing to represent criminalzs and accused criminals. The real issue is the cost of doinvg businessin Florida, which will increase dramatically without these changes.” The House bill has been read out of committede and could soon go to a House vote, and the Senat version sponsored by Sen. Garrett Richter, R-Naples, has been sent to committeed forinitial review.