OIR Appeals Circuit Court Decision on Workers Comp Rates
The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation has filed a Notice of Appeal relating to a circuit court ruling issued last week that would block the implementation of a statewide average 14.5 percent increase in workers’ compensation insurance rates. In a press release announcing its decision to appeal, the Office of Insurance Regulation noted that Florida’s rules of appellate procedure provide for a stay of the circuit court’s ruling due to the agency’s appeal. This allows the rate increase to take effect December 1 as originally planned.
A circuit judge found last week found that the National Council on Compensation Insurance did not adhere to certain requirements of Florida’s Sunshine Law that are applicable to it, and that OIR and NCCI had meetings relating to the filing that were not open to the public. Of course, as has historically been the case in OIR’s review of NCCI’s filings, the OIR held a public hearing on the proposed rates and invited public input.
Following last week’s ruling, NCCI also indicated that it plans to appeal.