The Florida Senate today advanced a workers’ compensation bill that, in its current form, does not fix runaway attorney fees or the associated 14.5 percent workers’ comp rate increase – a $1.5 billion impact to Florida’s business community. However, bill sponsor Sen. Rob Bradley (R-Orange Park) expressed interest in improving the bill during its upcoming final committee stop.
In today’s Senate Appropriations Committee meeting – which unanimously voted to advance SB 1582 – Sen. Bradley acknowledged that cost drivers remain a concern for the business community, and that reforms to the system should be designed to get injured workers healthy and back to work quickly. The Florida Chamber has long argued that trial lawyer involvement often drags out court cases and prevents injured workers from returning to work.
The Florida Chamber appreciates the words of support from Sen. Jeff Brandes (R-St. Petersburg) today, who said:
“While concerned that the business community does not support the bill in its current form, this bill is the only vehicle to address workers’ comp reform in the Senate this session. So, my vote in favor of it today is to keep it moving. Sen. Bradley is very capable and I hope he will continue to work with the business community to address their concerns.”
Take Action Now
Join us in the fight to secure Florida’s future by joining the Florida Chamber’s Workers’ Compensation Task Force. Contact Carolyn Johnson to add your name.