Summary
holding that the E/C could not rely upon section 440.09(b) because the case involved two industrial accidents and injuries without any preexisting injury attributable to a nonindustrial cause
Summary of this case from Newick v. Webster Training Ctr.Opinion
No. 1D05-3732.
April 30, 2007.
David M. Havlicek of Kelley, Kronenberg, Gilmartin, Fichtel Wander, P.A., Orlando, for Appellants.
Eric T. Kirk, Maitland, for Appellee.
The employer/carrier appeal a workers' compensation order which granted the claimant's request for a change in physicians and a second medical opinion. In challenging this award the employer/carrier present several issues on appeal, each of which we find to be without merit. In addition, while the employer/carrier refer to the major contributing cause standard in section 440.09(1)(b), Florida Statutes, that statutory provision does not apply here as this case involves two industrial accidents and injuries without any preexisting injury or condition attributable to a nonindustrial cause. As explained in Pearson v. Paradise Ford 951 So.2d 12, (Fla. 1st DCA 2007), section 440.09(1)(b) applies when a claimant's need for treatment or benefits is caused by the impact of an industrial accident combining with a preexisting injury or condition which is unrelated to an industrial accident.
The appealed order is affirmed.
BARFIELD, ALLEN and KAHN, JJ., concur.