Case Name: Jose VEGA, Sr., Appellant, v. ZELLWIN FARMS and Liberty Mutual Insurance Company, Appellees
Court: Florida District Court of Appeal
Jurisdiction: Florida
Decision Date: 1989-11-09
Citations: 558 So. 2d 30
Docket Number: No. 89-788
Parties: Jose VEGA, Sr., Appellant, v. ZELLWIN FARMS and Liberty Mutual Insurance Company, Appellees.
Judges: BOOTH, NIMMONS and ZEHMER, JJ., concur.
Reporter: Southern Reporter, Second Series
Volume: 558
Pages: 30–30

Head Matter:
Jose VEGA, Sr., Appellant, v. ZELLWIN FARMS and Liberty Mutual Insurance Company, Appellees.
No. 89-788.
District Court of Appeal of Florida, First District.
Nov. 9, 1989.
Rehearing Denied April 4, 1990.
Stan W. Strickland of Adler & Strickland, Orlando, and Bill McCabe of Shepherd, McCabe & Cooley, Longwood, for appellant.
Elizabeth C. Wheeler and Wallace W. Tudhope of Smalbein, Johnson, Rosier, Bussey, Rooney & Ebbets, P.A., Orlando, for appellees.

Opinion:
PER CURIAM.
This cause is before us on appeal of the judge of compensation claims' denial of wage-loss benefits. Although we find there was competent, substantial evidence to support the judge's determination that claimant did not perform a valid work search, we are compelled to reverse because the record reflects that the employer and carrier did not provide wage-loss forms or otherwise inform appellant of his obligation to perform a work search until December 8, 1988. This was required before benefits could be denied for failure to perform a valid work search. Rios v. Fred Teitelbaum Construction, 522 So.2d 1015 (Fla. 1st DCA 1988); Ninia v. Southwest Bottlers, 547 So.2d 966 (Fla. 1st DCA 1989). Accordingly, we reverse with directions that wage-loss benefits be awarded through December 8, 1988. The judge shall consider claimant's entitlement to any appropriate costs, interest, or fees. Because claimant's reply brief acknowledged that penalties would not be due upon reversal, the judge shall not consider any penalties, award.
BOOTH, NIMMONS and ZEHMER, JJ., concur.