Case ID: so3d_189/html/1035-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "PER CURIAM.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Bonnie J. SCOTT, Appellant, v. SEARS HOLDING CORPORATE and Sedgwick Claims, as Servicing Agent for AIG, Appellees.
    No. 1D15-3787.
    District Court of Appeal of Florida, First District.
    April 14, 2016.
    Rehearing Denied May 3, 2016.
    Date of Accident: October 23, 1999.
    Mark L. Zientz of the Law Offices of Mark L. Zientz, P.A., Miami, and Michael K. Horowitz of Matheson, Horowitz & De-vonmille, Vero Beach, for Appellant.
    Mary Frances Nelson of Eraclides, Gel-man, Hall, Indek, Goodman & Waters, Ft. Myers, for Appellees.
   PER CURIAM.

In this workers’ compensation appeal, the claimant challenges (1) the number of hours of attendant care'awarded by the judge of- compensation claims (JCC), and (2) the constitutionality of the section 440.13(2)(b)l., Florida Statutes, which limits payment of nonprofessional attendant care by family members to the federal minimum hourly wage. Both claims are meritless. ‘ With respect to the first' claim, ample competent substantial evidence supports the number of hours of attendant care awarded by the JCC. With respect to the second claim, although article X, section 24 of the Florida Constitution prescribes a minimum hourly wage that exceeds the federal minimum hourly wage, this constitutional provision applies only to “employees” as defined by federal law, and family members providing nonprofessional attendant care do not fall within that definition. See Marin v. Travelers Ins. Co., 771 So.2d 625, 626 (Fla. 3d DCA 2000). Accordingly, section 440.13(2)(b)T. does not contravene article X, section 24.

For these reasons, the final order is AFFIRMED.

WOLF, WETHERELL, and KELSEY, JJ., concur.