In Melissa Goodman v. PNR Holding Company Inc. and Retailfirst Insurance Company, Summit the JCC considered Claimant’s objection to the E/C response to Verified Petition. The Claimant argued that the response did not contain the statutory verification language and this should result in a “default”. The JCC agreed that the response to the verified petition should be exclude but not that this resulted in a “default”. As such, counsel for the E/C was permitted to testify under oath at the fee hearing regarding the E/C defenses. On the merits of the fee claim, the JCC found the E/C had timely provided benefits, including payment of $6.90 for taxable costs once the same had been documented. Claimant’s attorney fees DENIED.
