Case Name: Roberto CALDERON, Appellant, v. J.B. NURSERIES, INC. and United Self Insured Services, Appellees
Court: Florida District Court of Appeal
Jurisdiction: Florida
Decision Date: 2006-02-06
Citations: 933 So. 2d 553
Docket Number: No. 1D04-5320
Parties: Roberto CALDERON, Appellant, v. J.B. NURSERIES, INC. and United Self Insured Services, Appellees.
Judges: DAVIS and BENTON, JJ., concur.
Reporter: Southern Reporter, Second Series
Volume: 933
Pages: 553–557

Head Matter:
Roberto CALDERON, Appellant, v. J.B. NURSERIES, INC. and United Self Insured Services, Appellees.
No. 1D04-5320.
District Court of Appeal of Florida, First District.
Feb. 6, 2006.
Rehearing Denied March 15, 2006.
Monte R. Shoemaker, Esquire and Kel-lye A. Shoemaker, Esquire, Altamonte Springs, for Appellant.
James B. Birmingham, Esquire and Christopher A. Thorne, Esquire of George, Hartz, Lundeen, Fulmer, Johnstone, King & Stevens, Orlando, for Appellees.

Opinion:
PER CURIAM.
The judge of compensation claims found that the parties intended to settle appellant's claim by the agreement they reached in mediation convened for that purpose. We are bound by that finding. See United States Casualty Co. v. Maryland Casualty Co., 55 So.2d 741, 745 (Fla.1951) ("We are of the opinion the 'substantial evidence' rule should be invoked in all cases.... [Findings of facts should be upheld unless there is no competent, substantial evidence, which accords with logic and reason, to sustain them.").
That the claimant later refused to sign releases even though, represented by counsel, he had agreed in writing to execute "any releases E/C may require," made the agreement voidable at the other parties' election, but not void. Appellant could not escape the binding effect of the settlement agreement by breaching his obligation to execute a release. The employer and carrier were within their rights simply to overlook his breach, and insist on the other benefits of the bargain they struck in the settlement agreement.
AFFIRMED.
DAVIS and BENTON, JJ., concur.
ERVIN, J., dissents with opinion.