JCC Awards Compensability and Medical Care After Golf Cart Crash

In Andres Felipe Romero Rojas v. APDC Cleaning Services, Inc., OJCC Case No. 25-026928JW, Judge Jonathan E. Walker issued a Final Compensation Order arising from a November 8, 2023 golf-cart crash at Sandestin Resorts. The claimant testified that he was told to drive a cart known to have defective brakes and poor steering, lost control while carrying out that instruction, and was taken by ambulance for immediate treatment before later continuing care in Colombia.

The order noted that APDC remained the only active defendant after the claimant confirmed a separate settlement with Southeast Personnel Leasing, Inc. and Lion Insurance Company, and APDC chose not to participate at the final hearing. Judge Walker found the claimant's testimony uncontroverted, held that he was APDC's employee on the accident date, and concluded that the crash was a compensable accident in the course and scope of employment under chapter 440.

Based on those findings, the JCC granted compensability, awarded authorization and provision of medical treatment for the accident-related injuries, and granted attorney's fees and costs, reserving jurisdiction on amount if the parties cannot agree. The order relied on the claimant's ongoing low-back and radiating-leg complaints and held that APDC's failure to participate did not relieve it of the duty to provide reasonable care to an injured employee.

Source: Compensation Order