JCC Awards TPD After Finding Claimant Not at Overall MMI

In Lawson v. Emerald Coast Behavioral Hospital / Constitution State Services and AIU Insurance Company, OJCC Case No. 25-011253JW, Judge Jonathan E. Walker addressed a claim for temporary partial disability benefits after a December 16, 2024 work injury.

The JCC granted TPD benefits from October 16, 2025 forward because two of the three authorized doctors had not placed the claimant at overall maximum medical improvement, and the pain-management physician continued to impose modified-duty restrictions.

The order also rejected the carrier's argument that the restrictions lacked objective medical support, relying in part on the authorized doctor's testimony, the claimant's relief from a medial branch block injection, and x-ray findings showing objective changes.

Source: Compensation Order