Case ID: so2d_379/html/1023-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "PER CURIAM. BOOTH, Judge,", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Paul LaFOND, Appellant, v. PINELLAS COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS and Niagara Underwriters Adjusting Company, Appellees.
    No. PP-421.
    District Court of Appeal of Florida, First District.
    Feb. 14, 1980.
    
      L. C. Schowe, St. Petersburg, for appellant.
    John S. Smith, of Marlow, Shofi, Ortmayer, Smith, Connell & Valerius, Miami, for appellees.
   PER CURIAM.

This cause is before us on appeal from an order of the Deputy Commissioner awarding 70 percent permanent partial disability benefits, finding that the claimant had failed to undertake a job search after reaching maximum medical improvement, and allowing the employer/carrier an offset for cost of living increases provided claimant by Social Security. We AFFIRM the Deputy’s award of benefits and his finding that claimant’s job search was undertaken prior to reaching maximum medical improvement. However, as conceded by the employer/carrier, they are not entitled to an offset for Social Security cost of living increases. A. C. Scott Construction & Paving Company, Inc. v. Miller, IRC Order 2-3906 (September 11, 1979). On that point we REVERSE. The petition for attorney fees was not filed with petitioner’s brief and is, therefore, DENIED.

MILLS, C. J., and McCORD, J., concur.

BOOTH, J., dissents with an opinion.

BOOTH, Judge,

dissenting.

I dissent from this court’s retention of jurisdiction in this case, which arose outside the territorial jurisdiction of the court. See Crews v. Town of Bay Harbor, 378 So.2d 1265 (Fla. 1st DCA 1979).

On the merits, I would concur in the majority's opinion.