Announcements

Today is Law Day across the country. It also marks the first day of the last week of the Florida Legislative Session, which might or Might not bring changes to workers' compensation (discussed in a May 1, 2017 post below.  The petition volumes this year continue to be somewhat unpredictable. Filings in some months are markedly above the same month last year, while other 2017 months have demonstrated remarkable consistency. The PFB filings in April 2017 exemplified another of the remarkably consistent, decreasing slightly (1%) from April 2016. Overall, the average monthly change through the first ten months of 2017 (July 1, 2016 through April 30, 2017) has been 6%. The projected change for the entire fiscal year has hovered between 6% and 7% for much of the year, and is currently 6.2%. Because two of the most significant PFB filing volume months for 2015-16 were May and June, it is possible that more moderate volumes in those months this year could result in a rate of increase below

The Florida Legislative Session runs through Friday (May 5, 2017). The length of the Session is set by the state constitution. The Legislature's calendar predicts closure of the 2017 Session around 10:00 a.m. Friday, but the chambers will vote on their adjournments when they deem their respective business done.  Much of the news this Session has centered on the state budget. However, compromise and agreement has been reported .  The budget is a mandatory legislative function. In recent months, some prognosticated that the Legislature might fail to reach a budget consensus during the Session. Had that occurred, or if some other particular need was perceived, the Legislature can be called into a "Special Session." Last year, some advocated for a "Special Session" regarding workers' compensation, but it did not occur. Recently, with a budget seemingly agreed upon, there has been less discussion of any perceived need for a "Special Session" in 2017.