Carrier Barred from Asserting Statute of Limitations as a Defense
Section 440.19(1) and (2), Fla. Stat., says that a petition for benefits is barred by the statute of limitations unless it is filed within two (2) years from the date of accident, or within one (1) year from the time the employer last paid compensation or provided medical care to the claimant, whichever is later. But if an employer misleads the claimant - even unintentionally - regarding his rights under the law so that he fails to file his petition timely, the courts will hold that the employer/carrier is "estopped" from asserting the defense. That's what happened in Roberson v. St. Johns Co. School Board, Case No. 1D06-5839, decided on 1/23/2008.
Ms. Roberson sustained a work-related accident which was initially accepted as compensable by the Employer/Servicing Agent ("E/SA). Later, however, the E/SA filed a Notice of Denial (Form DWC-12) in which they denied that further compensation benefits or medical care were due because Roberson's disability allegedly resulted from a pre-existing condition. The next day, the E/SA filed with the Division of Workers' Compensation and forwarded to Ms. Roberson a Notice of Action Change (Form DWC-4) in which it reported that her permanent injury rating was zero percent. Three weeks later, however, the E/SA received from Ms. Roberson's treating physician a report (Form DWC-9a) indicating that she had in fact sustained a 10% permanent impairment. The E/SA did not file that form with the Division of Workers' Compensation or send a copy of it to Roberson.
Roberson eventually learned about the physician's report and filed a petition for benefits, but not until after the statute of limitations ordinarily would have run. The First District Court of Appeal held that because Roberson had no reason to know of her physician's 10% rating and the E/SA failed to correct the rating upon receipt of that information, the E/SA were estopped from asserting the statute of limitations as a defense to the payment of benefits.
