Case ID: so2d_598/html/0279-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "PER CURIAM. BARFIELD, Judge,", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Helen M. CLEMENTS, Appellant, v. MORROW’S NUT HOUSE and Lumberman’s Mutual Insurance Company, Appellees.
    No. 91-00342.
    District Court of Appeal of Florida, First District.
    May 13, 1992.
    
      John T. Fryback of John T. Fryback, P.A., Bradenton, for appellant.
    Nancy A. Blastic of O’Riorden, Mann, Ingram & Dunkle, P.A., Sarasota, for ap-pellees.
   PER CURIAM.

This cause is before us on appeal from an order of the judge of compensation claims (JCC) denying a claim for past and future chiropractic care. In denying the claim, the JCC relied upon the testimony of Dr. Marc Kallins, a physiatrist. Dr. Kal-lins believed that because the chiropractic care had not afforded claimant a “progressive and sustained benefit,” that the chiropractic care was not medically reasonable and necessary.

Claimant’s entitlement to chiropractic care, however, is governed by Section 440.13(2)(a), Florida Statutes (1983), which provides in pertinent part:

[T]he employer shall furnish to the employee such medically necessary remedial treatment, care, and attendance by a health care provider and for such period as the nature of the injury or the process of recovery may require,....

The employer/carrier’s obligation under the statute extends to the provision of palliative treatment which mitigates the conditions or effects of the injury. Professional Administrators v. Macias, 448 So.2d 1159, 1160 (Fla. 1st DCA 1984).

The order appealed from is reversed, and this cause is remanded with instructions that the JCC determine whether the chiropractic care sought by claimant was reasonable and necessary palliative care.

BOOTH and SMITH, JJ., concur.

BARFIELD, J., dissents with written opinion.

BARFIELD, Judge,

dissenting.

It does not appear necessary to me that this case be returned to the judge of compensation claims to make a determination which I feel is clearly made in paragraph 5 of his final order. In that final order, he determined that it was not reasonable and necessary to continue chiropractic care. The evidence supports that determination. The previous order of the judge of compensation claims was for a two month trial period for palliative care. The conclusion of the judge of compensation claims was that the low grade pain would continue and not be resolved or ameliorated by chiropractic care. In my opinion, the order should be affirmed.