Round 3 of workers

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Florida’s workers’ compensation insurance rates were among the highestf in the nationbefore attorneys’ fee limitds were imposed in 2003. Insurance rates dropped every year sincwe then because lawyers refused many cases due to the limitee prospects formaking However, the Florida Supreme Court last fall ruled the language in the fee schedule is ambiguoux and allowed judges to approve larger fees a decision that cleared the way for plaintif f attorneys to make more money in on-the-job injury cases. As a result, workers’ comp insurance rates will rise 6.4 percentr in April.
But House Bill 903 and companion Senats Bill 2072 change the language to restrict attorneyt compensation to thefee formula. argued that the proposed law is needecd becauserising workers’ comp insurance rates create a hardshi for companies in the state and discourage thosee that might move to Florida. “If this bill doesn’t pass, Florida employers will see a series of costly increasezs intheir workers’ comp rates,” said Danieol Krassner, spokesman and strategist for the Floridaw Chamber of Commerce. “We want to get injured workers back on the job as quicklgyas possible. Settling claims quickly does that.
” Paul executive officer with the , a group representing trial said the bill would limit the hourly fees injureed workers can paytheir lawyers. Unless the plaintiff can find a lawyer willing to work for acontingency fee, the worker would have to represenr himself. “Working people will have to find theitr way through the system withoutan attorney,” Anderson said. By there are no limits on what insurance companies can pay attorneys torepresent them. Rep.
Dave R-Pensacola, co-sponsor of the Housde version of theproposed law, feels differently: “Thered will always be attorneys willingb to represent injured workers, just as there are always attorneys willing to represent criminalzs and accused criminals. The real issuw is the cost of doing business in which will increase dramatically withoutthese changes.” The Houses bill has been read out of committer and could soon go to a Houswe vote, and the Senatew version sponsored by Sen.
Garrett Richter, has been sent to committee forinitial