School Board to Recoup $13,000 for Successful Workers' Comp Defense

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - A Florida appellate court has reversed an order denying costs to a school board that successfully defended against an employee's claim for disability benefits based on an alleged workplace exposure to mold. F.A. Richard and Associates, et al. v. Fernandez, No. 1D07-02623 (Fla. Ct. App., 1st Dist.).

Florida's 1st District Court of Appeal said on March 10 that the Palm Beach County School Board's failure to plead entitlement to costs was not dispositive, and the Judge of Compensation Claims erred in denying the board's demand for reimbursement of $13,266.14.

F.A. Richard and Associates and the Palm Beach …