Opinion ID: 1644092
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Plain Language and Ambiguity

Text: An examination of the plain language of subsections 440.34(1) and (3) reveals that when the formula requirement of subsection (1) is read together with the reasonable attorney fee authorization of subsection (3), a statutory ambiguity is created. Subsection (1) provides that any fee paid for a claimant must be approved as reasonable by the JCC; any attorney fee approved by the JCC must equal the statutory formula, which is based on a percentage amount of the dollar value of the compensation benefits obtained by the claimant; and the JCC cannot approve an attorney fee exceeding the amount permitted by this section. § 440.34(1), Fla. Stat. (2003). No reference is made in subsection (1) to subsection (3); nor does subsection (3) refer to subsection (1). Rather, subsection (3) authorizes reasonable attorney fees without any mention of the formula. It is obvious, as demonstrated by the present case, that applying the formula in all cases will not result in the determination of reasonable attorney fees in all cases. In some circumstances, applying the formula will result in inadequate fees, and in some circumstances, applying the formula will result in excessive fees. [4] To address this ambiguity, we begin by reviewing the relevant history of the attorney fee statute.