Purpose


Procedural rules for adjudication of workers' compensation claims were implemented on February 23, 2003, pursuant to the mandate in Section 440.45, Florida Statutes, that the Division of Administrative Hearings adopt procedural rules. Amendments to the rules have previously been made in 2006 and 2010. Since Sections 440.015 and 440.44(2), Florida Statutes, require that the workers’ compensation system be efficient and self-executing and that the Division of Administrative Hearings assume an active and forceful role in achieving that goal, it is necessary to amend the existing rules to conform with subsequent statutory changes and to incorporate changes that will improve the adjudicatory process based upon experience in utilizing the existing rules.