A hefty, 14.5 percent hike in workers’ compensation rates is here to stay following a ruling by the First District Court of Appeal.
Leon County Circuit Judge Karen Gievers decided the National Council on Compensation Insurance violated Florida’s government in the Sunshine laws when it compiled a rate filing.
Gievers ruled NCCI’s deliberations should have been open, but the three-judge panel disagreed. NCCI submits rate requests, but state regulators make the final call, the judges ruled.
The closely watched suit was filed by a Maimi attorney who represents injured workers. Florida lawmakers adjourned the 2017 session on Monday without addressing the rate hike, despite intense pressure from powerful business interests.
