Yesterday evening, the First District Court of Appeals ruled that the 14.5 percent rate increase will continue to be in effect while the Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) and National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) appeal a case from the Leon Circuit Court last month. This case, brought forward by a trial lawyer, argued that the rate-making process violated Florida’s Sunshine Law. The DCA also granted NCCI’s motion to expedite the case, and set the following timeline:
- January 11, 2017
OIR and NCCI must file arguments on the merits of the case - January 23, 2017
James Fee, the trial attorney who brought forward the case, must respond to OIR and NCCI’s filing, and - February 2, 2017
Final briefs must be filed.
What This Means for Florida Businesses:
The Leon Circuit Court in its decision invalidated the rate increase, but the District Court of Appeals allowed the rate to take effect on December 1 for all new and renewal policies. This case is a red herring, meant to distract from the real problem- increased attorney fees as a result of the Castellanos v. Next Door Company Florida Supreme Court decision. In fact, claimant attorney fees are up over 20 percent since the Supreme Court’s decision in April.
What’s Next:
Today, the Florida Chamber will testify before the Florida Senate’s Banking & Insurance Committee to fight for a workers’ comp system that works. Share your story with us by contacting cjohnson@flchamber.com today.
Learn how the Florida Chamber of Commerce Workers’ Comp Task Force is working on a legislative solution to the $1.5 billion increase to Florida’s business community.