JCC Denies Benefits After Claimant Presents No Supporting Medical Evidence

In Roulhac v. Palm Garden of Orlando/Amerisure Insurance Company, the Orlando JCC considered claims for continuing temporary total and temporary partial disability benefits, transportation to authorized medical appointments, and compensability of the claimant's left ankle, mid-back, and spine conditions.

The claimant represented herself at the final hearing and offered only her own testimony. The JCC explained that medical evidence was required to establish entitlement to the disability benefits and to prove the causal relationship for conditions that were not readily observable. No evidence also showed that the employer/carrier had failed to provide authorized transportation.

The JCC denied every claim for lack of proof. It also denied the claimant's post-hearing requests to submit additional evidence, compel a wage statement and immediate indemnity payments, and hold an emergency conference because the evidentiary record had closed and no good cause justified reopening it.

Source: Compensation Order