Opinion ID: 1877626
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 24

Heading: penalties under section 440.20(5) deemed waived unless specifically claimed

Text: When any installment of compensation payable without an award has not been paid within fourteen (14) days after it became due and the claimant concludes the prosecution of his claim before a judge without having specifically claimed additional compensation in the nature of a penalty under Section 440.20(5), Florida Statutes, F.S.A., he will be deemed to have acknowledged that owing to conditions over which the employer had no control such installment could not be paid within the period prescribed for the payment and to have waived his right to claim such penalty; provided that during the course of a hearing the judge on his own motion may raise the question of whether such penalty should be awarded or excused. If no claim for such penalty is presented and the judge does not raise the question on his own motion during the hearing, no penalty will be awarded and it will be deemed that the judge has excused such delay in payment of compensation pursuant to said Section 440.20(5).