Case Name: LeBRUNO ALUMINUM COMPANY, INC. and Chubb Group, Appellants, v. Bruce V. LANE, Appellee
Court: Florida District Court of Appeal
Jurisdiction: Florida
Decision Date: 1983-08-19
Citations: 436 So. 2d 1039
Docket Number: No. AP-125
Parties: LeBRUNO ALUMINUM COMPANY, INC. and Chubb Group, Appellants, v. Bruce V. LANE, Appellee.
Judges: LARRY G. SMITH, J., concurs.
Reporter: Southern Reporter, Second Series
Volume: 436
Pages: 1039–1040

Head Matter:
LeBRUNO ALUMINUM COMPANY, INC. and Chubb Group, Appellants, v. Bruce V. LANE, Appellee.
No. AP-125.
District Court of Appeal of Florida, First District.
Aug. 19, 1983.
Rehearing Denied Sept. 19, 1983.
Bernard J. Zimmerman and Marshall S. Adler of Akerman> Senterfitt & Eidson, P A > Orando, for appellants.
J. David Parrish of Hurt & Parrish, Bill McCabe of Shepherd, McCabe & Cooley, 0rlando, toe appellee.

Opinion:
MILLS, Judge.
The employer and carrier (E/C) in this workers' compensation case appeal a final order of the deputy commissioner which granted temporary total disability, catastrophic loss, and rehabilitation benefits to Lane, and which found that the E/C had acted in bad faith. We do not reach all of the issues raised because we find that certain inappropriate remarks by the deputy commissioner require reversal of the entire order.
Lane's claim for workers' compensation benefits came on for hearing before the deputy commissioner on 8 March 1982. After hearing the testimony of Lane but before hearing any of the E/C's evidence, the deputy commissioner remarked that he had already made up his mind to award benefits and to award attorney's fees to Lane based on the E/C's bad faith handling of the claim. When counsel for the E/C asked the deputy commissioner if he would still be allowed to present his witnesses, the deputy commissioner replied, "You can put them on if you want to take up the Court's time." Thereafter, the E/C presented their evidence, and the deputy commissioner subsequently entered an order awarding benefits to Lane and finding that the E/C had acted in bad faith.
The remarks by the deputy commissioner clearly indicate that the E/C did not receive the fair and impartial hearing to which they are entitled under our system of justice. Accordingly, in spite of the hardship that it may cause Lane, who may in fact have been entitled to compensation, we have no choice but to reverse the order appealed and remand with instructions that the case be assigned to another deputy com missioner. Rockledge Country Club v. Becker, IRC Order 2-2540 (February 25, 1974).
Reversed and remanded with instructions.
LARRY G. SMITH, J., concurs.
ERVIN, C.J., dissents with opinion.