HB 7085 Passes House, Reaches Senate

A bill to bring Florida workers' compensation law into compliance with two state Supreme Court decisions was transmitted to the Senate Thursday after passing the House 82-37 the day before. House Bill 7085, by Rep. Danny Burgess, R-Zephyrhills, would increase the duration of temporary total disability benefits to 260 weeks and allow judges to award workers' compensation attorneys an hourly fee of up to $150 if the attorneys qualify for payment outside the fee schedule. To qualify for the "departure fee," the statutory fee would have to come out to less than 40% or ...