Case Name: PALM BEACH DERMATOLOGY and PBOA, Inc., Appellants, v. Michele MIKAN, Appellee
Court: Florida District Court of Appeal
Jurisdiction: Florida
Decision Date: 2006-07-26
Citations: 936 So. 2d 671
Docket Number: No. 1D05-0956
Parties: PALM BEACH DERMATOLOGY and PBOA, Inc., Appellants, v. Michele MIKAN, Appellee.
Judges: WOLF, VAN NORTWICK, and BROWNING, JJ., concur.
Reporter: Southern Reporter, Second Series
Volume: 936
Pages: 671–672

Head Matter:
PALM BEACH DERMATOLOGY and PBOA, Inc., Appellants, v. Michele MIKAN, Appellee.
No. 1D05-0956.
District Court of Appeal of Florida, First District.
July 26, 2006.
Rehearing Denied Aug. 24, 2006.
Nicholas A. Shannin, of McDonough, Wieland & Shannin, Orlando, for Appellants.
Kenneth B. Schwartz, West Palm Beach, for Appellee. .

Opinion:
PER CURIAM.
The employer/carrier appeals an order awarding permanent total disability (PTD) benefits to the claimant, appellee. We reverse. The record shows that the claimant has not reached actual maximum medical improvement (MMI). Where a claimant has not reached MMI by the expiration of the temporary benefit period and has presented no competent substantial evidence that she will be totally disabled when she does reach MMI, any claim for PTD benefits is premature. Olmo v. Rehabcare Starmed/SRS, 930 So.2d 789 (Fla. 1st DCA 2006). In this case, the claimant has not provided any competent substantial evidence that she will be totally disabled when she does reach MMI. Therefore, the award of PTD benefits, notwithstanding that claimant was no longer entitled to temporary benefits, constituted error. See generally id.
WOLF, VAN NORTWICK, and BROWNING, JJ., concur.