Opinion
No. 1D06-5521.
July 31, 2007.
An appeal from an order of the Judge of Compensation Claims. William H. Dane, Judge.
John J. Rahaim, II, Jacksonville, for Appellant.
Bonnie J. Murdoch and Nicholas J. Elder, Jacksonville, for Appellees.
When a represented claimant enters into a lump-sum settlement with an employer and carrier, section 440.20(11)(c), Florida Statutes (2006), only requires JCC approval of the attorney's fees paid by the claimant to the claimant's attorney. See § 440.20(11)(c), Fla. Stat. (2006). A JCC lacks statutory authority to deny the attorney's fees based upon costs charged to the claimant. Accordingly, the order is REVERSED.
KAHN AND VAN NORTWICK, JJ., concur.
BENTON, J., concurs in result.