Opinion ID: 1877626
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 34

Heading: advance payments of compensation; and discharge of liability for compensation by lump sum payment

Text: (a) Liability of an employer for future payments of compensation shall not be discharged by advance payment unless prior approval of the Bureau has been obtained as hereinafter provided. The approval shall not constitute an adjudication of the claimant's percentage of disability. (b) When the claimant has reached maximum recovery and returned to his former or equivalent employment with no substantial reduction in wages, such approval of a reasonable advance payment of a part of the compensation payable to the claimant may be given informally by letter by a judge, by the Bureau chief, or the administrator of claims, of the Bureau. (c) When the claimant has not returned to the same or equivalent employment with no substantial reduction in wages or has suffered a substantial loss of earning capacity, or a physical impairment, actual or apparent: 1. An advance payment of compensation not in excess of $2,000 may be approved informally by letter, without hearing, by any judge or by the Bureau chief, or by the administrator of claims, of the Bureau. 2. An advance payment of compensation not in excess of $2,000 may be ordered by any judge after giving the interested parties opportunity for a hearing thereon pursuant to not less than ten days' notice by registered or certified mail (unless such notice is waived), and after giving due consideration to the interests of the person entitled thereto; and when the parties have stipulated to an advance payment of compensation not in excess of $2,000, such advance may be approved either by an order of a judge, with or without hearing, or informally by letter by any such judge, or by the chief of the Bureau, if such advance is found to be for the best interests of the person entitled thereto. 3. When the parties have stipulated to an advance payment in excess of $2,000 subject to approval of the Bureau, an advance payment of compensation in excess of $2,000 may be approved by a judge by order if he finds that same is for the best interests of the person entitled thereto and is reasonable under the circumstances of the particular case. The judge shall make or cause to be made such investigations as he considers necessary concerning the stipulation, and in his discretion may have an investigation of the matter made by the rehabilitation section of the Bureau. The stipulation and the report of any investigation shall be deemed a part of the record of the proceedings. (d) When an application for an advance payment in excess of $2,000 is opposed by the employer or carrier, it shall be heard by a judge after giving the interested parties not less than ten days' notice of such hearing by registered or certified mail (unless such notice is waived). In his discretion the judge may have an investigation of the matter made by the rehabilitation section of the Bureau, in which event the report and recommendation of said section will be deemed a part of the record of the proceedings. If the judge finds that such advance payment is for the best interests of the person entitled to compensation, will not materially prejudice the rights of the employer and carrier, and is reasonable under the circumstances of the case, he may order same paid. (e) When a person entitled to compensation requests that the liability of the employer for such compensation be discharged by the payment of a lump sum equal to the present value of all future payments of compensation payable to him, pursuant to Section 440.20(10), Florida Statutes, F.S.A., such application shall be considered and determined in accordance with the provisions of this rule relating to advance payment of part of the compensation. (f) Upon joint petition of all interested parties and after giving due consideration to the interests of all interested parties, if he finds that it is for the best interests of the person entitled to compensation the judge may enter a compensation order approving and authorizing the discharge of the liability of the employer for both compensation and remedial treatment, care and attendance by the payment of a lump sum equal to the present value of all future payments for both compensation and remedial treatment, care and attendance; and a compensation order so entered upon joint petition of all interested parties shall not be subject to modification or review under Section 440.28, Florida Statutes, F.S.A., if so stipulated by the parties and so ordered by the judge after finding that such provision is clearly for the best interests of the person entitled to compensation, as provided in subsection (g) of this Rule. (g) The judge shall make or cause to be made such investigations as he considers necessary in each case in which the parties have stipulated that a proposed final settlement of all liability of the employer shall not be subject to modification or review under Section 440.28, Florida Statutes, F.S.A., to determine whether such final disposition will definitely aid the rehabilitation of the injured worker or otherwise is clearly for the best interests of the person entitled to compensation, and in his discretion may have an investigation made by the rehabilitation section of the Bureau. The joint petition and the report of any investigation so made will be deemed a part of the proceeding. (h) A judge, in his discretion, may hear testimony relating to a proposed stipulation for settlement under Section 440.20(10), Florida Statutes, F.S.A., without having in hand the Bureau file; however, he shall in no event enter an order thereon without first having reviewed the Bureau file.