Case Title: Ernie Haire Ford v. Sherry Conklin

Citation: 

Docket Number: SC96-152

State: florida

Court: Florida Supreme Court

Date: 2001-02-22T00:00:00Z

Document:
Supreme Court of Florida
 
____________
No. SC96152
____________
ERNIE HAIRE FORD, et al.,
Petitioners,
vs.
SHERRY CONKLIN,
Respondent.
[February 22, 2001]
QUINCE, J.
We have for review a decision on the following question of great public
importance certified by the First District Court of Appeal in Conklin v. Ford, 737
So. 2d 602 (Fla. 1st DCA 1999):
WHERE AN EMPLOYER TAKES A WORKERS’
COMPENSATION OFFSET UNDER SECTION
440.20(15), FLORIDA STATUTES (1985), AND
INITIALLY INCLUDES SUPPLEMENTAL BENEFITS
PAID UNDER SECTION 440.15(1)(e)1, FLORIDA
STATUTES (1985), IS THE EMPLOYER ENTITLED
TO RECALCULATE THE OFFSET BASED ON THE
-2-
YEARLY 5% INCREASE IN SUPPLEMENTAL
BENEFITS?
We have jurisdiction.  See art. V, § 3(b)(4), Fla. Const.  For the reasons
expressed in City of Clearwater v. Acker, 755 So. 2d 597 (Fla. 1999), we answer
the certified question in the negative and approve the First District’s decision in this
case.
It is so ordered.
WELLS, C.J., and SHAW, HARDING, ANSTEAD, PARIENTE and LEWIS, JJ.,
concur.
NOT FINAL UNTIL TIME EXPIRES TO FILE REHEARING MOTION, AND
IF FILED, DETERMINED.
Application for Review of the Decision of the District Court of Appeal - 
Certified Great Public Importance
First District - Case No. 1D98-2804 
Nancy A. Lauten of Fowler, White, Gillen, Boggs, Villareal & Banker, P.A.,
Tampa, Florida
for Petitioners
Vicki L. Stolberg of Barrs, Williamson, Stolberg, Townsend & Gonzalez, P.A.,
Tampa, Florida,
for Respondent