Judge Correctly Considered Vocational Factors in PD Ruling

A judge of compensation claims may consider a claimant's vocational factors when determining whether a worker has a permanent total disability, according to a Florida appellate court. The 1st District Court of Appeal affirmed a judge's determination that the physical limitations of a worker's industrial injury combined with his vocational abilities in a way that preclude him from sedentary work. The court considered section 440.15(1)(b) of the Florida Statutes while making the decision, in Ferrell Gas v. Childers, No. 1D07-1824.Norman Childers, the injured worker, suffered an indus...