Blight v. Commercial Carrier
Blight v. Commercial Carrier
Opinion of the Court
Claimant, James Blight, appeals an order of the judge of compensation claims (JCC), denying each of his claims for benefits against the employer, Comear Industries, Inc., and carrier, Commercial Carrier. Blight raises issues relating to wage loss benefits, psychiatric care, and an orthopedic second opinion. We affirm without comment the denial of wage loss benefits, but reverse the JCC’s denial of palliative psychological care and an independent medical examination, because there was no evidence supporting the denial.
The JCC found that Blight’s psychiatric depression was caused by both his industrial injuries and outside stressors. Accordingly, the JCC erred in finding that Blight failed to establish causation.
The JCC also erred in denying Blight’s request for an orthopedic independent medical examination, finding that it was not medically necessary and that Blight had
We direct the JCC on remand to award Blight any penalties, interest, costs and attorney’s fees to which he is entitled in light of this opinion.
AFFIRMED IN PART, REVERSED IN PART and REMANDED.
. Blight’s injuries predate the 1994 statutory revisions, which require that the industrial accident be the major contributing cause of the need for treatment. § 440.09, Fla. Stat. (Supp. 1994).
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.