Ian Closures

Updated October 7, 2022.

District Ft. Myers reopens Monday, October 10, 2022! We are pleased to see this recovery, recognizing that many in that region will be working for months with various challenges that flow in the wake of such an event. The community needs the OJCC, and I am proud of the Ft. Myers team and their efforts to reopen and begin the tasks necessary to keep the interests of injured workers and employers moving through this process. 

Updated October 5, 2022.

Orlando District reopened October 4, 2022, but had air conditioning issues. It is open as normal today. District Daytona is reopened as normal today. 

District Ft. Myers remains closed due to electrical and other utility challenges. Courts in Ft. Myers are closed through October 7, 2022 and so we anticipate closure there for at least the remainder of this week. All trials scheduled in District Ft. Myers between September 27, 2022 and October 13, 2022 have been continued, orders are in the docket and the continuances were approximately 28 days. These continuances are administrative and do not qualify as "an initial continuance" pursuant to section 440.25(4)(b). With the uncertainty of community recovery, parties and attorneys are reminded to monitor their case dockets, and seek relief from the assigned judge when necessary. Questions may be directed to david.langham@doah.state.fl.us as long as all parties or counsel to the case are copied. For mediation rescheduling waiver, see Administrative Order 2022-01 https://www.fljcc.org/JCC/AdminOrders/2022/AO22-01.pdf

Updated October 3, 2022.

Daytona District to reopen Wednesday, October 5, 2022 for normal operations!

OJCC offices remain closed today in Ft. Myers, Daytona, and Orlando. There is a potential for ongoing access issues in Orlando until noon due to power restoration challenges. 

Please remain aware of and be patient with that. The un-tethering of mediation processes may mean that mediations are proceeding with distant mediators despite ongoing challenges in your vicinity. We are aware of challenges. If you need help rescheduling and cannot reach a mediator, contact askOJCC@doah.state.fl.us. Calendars remain tight, so finding an alternative and coordinating with opposing counsel before contact is a good idea. 


Updated  September 30, 2022. We know the following:

OJCC reopened today in 

Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, and West Palm Beach.

OJCC Offices remained closed on September 30, 2022 in 

Daytona Beach, Ft. Myers, Gainesville, Jacksonville, Orlando, Sarasota, St. Petersburg, and Tampa.

Office premises have been viewed and appear intact in Ft. Myers, Sarasota, St. Petersburg, and Tampa. 

Inspection is pending in remaining offices on the temporary closed list. More information is anticipated approximately 2:00 p.m. Friday regarding operations the week of October 3, 2022. 

Re-openings will depend upon electrical service and Internet service, and will take into account local government advice. 


Updated, as of September 27, 2022, we have the following Hurricane Ian closures:

Sept 27-29: Ft. Myers 

Sept 27-29: St. Petersburg, Sarasota, Tampa 

Sept 28: West Palm Beach 

Sept 28-29: Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando, Miami 

Sept 28-30: Daytona Beach, Gainesville, Jacksonville

The only offices open September 28, 2022 will be Panama City, Pensacola, and Tallahassee. 

September 26, 2022

Hurricane Ian threatens and the state courts have begun to prepare. This is relevant because the OJCC follows the Circuit Courts regarding facility closure. See Rule 60Q-6.130. EMERGENCY OFFICE CLOSURE

(1) The Office of Judges of Compensation Claims is subject to closure pursuant to Gubernatorial instructions or declarations pursuant to Article IV, section 1(a) of the Florida Constitution and the Florida Emergency Management Act.

(2) Whenever the Circuit Courts in the particular county in which an OJCC office is located close, due to a weather or other disaster emergency, the district office of the Office of Judges of Compensation Claims in that county shall likewise close for the duration of the emergency closure ordered by that Circuit Court.

(3) Any unscheduled closure of an OJCC office will be published on the OJCC website, and through such other means deemed necessary by the Deputy Chief Judge.

as of September 26, 2022, we have the following closures:

  • Ft. Myers - Closed September 27, 2022 through September 28, 2022.
  • Sarasota - Closed September 27, 2022 through September 29, 2022. 
  • St. Petersburg - Closed September 27, 2022 through September 29, 2022.
  • Tampa - Closed September 27, 2022 through September 29, 2022.

Monitor the Florida Supreme Court website for updates:

https://www.floridasupremecourt.org/Weather-Related-Emergency-Orders

 


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