LAFLEUR v. ARBOR HOLDING COMPANY LLC (2019)

In this workers' compensation case, Claimant appeals an order of the Judge of Compensation Claims (JCC) denying Claimant the right to select the doctor who would serve as her one-time change of physician available under section 440.13(2)(f), Florida Statutes (2014). We reverse on the authority of Myers v. Pasco County School Board, 246 So. 3d 1278 (Fla. 1st DCA 2018),^* because the record does not contain sufficient evidence to support the JCC's finding that the Employer/Carrier's authorization of an anesthesiologist, although made within five calendar days of Claimant's request for a one-time change, satisfied their statutory obligation to provide a physician in the “same” specialty as the previously authorized physician who specializes in physical medicine and rehabilitation. Section 440.13(2)(f) contemplates that the originally authorized physician be “in the same specialty as the changed physician.” Myers held that “[a] physician who provides similar services in a different specialty does not qualify as a doctor in the ‘same specialty’ because—quite simply—‘same’ is different than ‘similar.’ ” Id. at 1279.

Reversed and Remanded for further proceedings in accordance with this opinion.

FOOTNOTES

FOOTNOTE.   The JCC did not have the benefit of the Myers opinion before rendering the order under review.

Ray, J.

Roberts and Winsor, JJ., concur.