PER CURIAM.
In this workers' compensation appeal, the Employer seeks review of an order of the Judge of Compensation Claims (JCC) to the extent it awards Claimant an upward adjustment in the compensation rate, and penalties, interest, costs, and attorney's fees associated with that adjustment. For the reasons stated herein, we find error and reverse this award.
On February 26, 2008, Claimant suffered multiple injuries in a compensable motor vehicle accident. On August 22, 2011, the Employer administratively accepted her as permanently and totally disabled. Claimant sought permanent total disability (PTD) benefits from December 17, 2010, to April 25, 2011, and adjustment of her average weekly wage (AWW) based on her wages together with includable fringe benefits under section 440.02(28), Florida Statutes. Subsequent litigation resulted in a final order which, in part, denied the requested PTD benefits. We do not disturb that ruling on appeal.
The final order also included the JCC's findings regarding the appropriate AWW amounts both before and after Claimant's resignation, which affected the inclusion (vel non) of fringe benefits in AWW. The JCC agreed with the Employer's calculations of AWW amounts, but disagreed with the Employer's calculations of the appropriate compensation rates.
Section 440.15(1)(a), Florida Statutes (2007), states that the compensation rate for PTD benefits is "66 2/3 percent of the average weekly wages." The JCC calculated the appropriate compensation rate by multiplying the AWW by .6667. The Employer had calculated the compensation rate by multiplying the AWW by .66667.
Begin with the appropriate AWW for the period before Claimant's resignation: $794.21. Using the most strict reading of the statute: sixty-six percent of 794.21 is 524.1786. One percent of 794.21 is 7.9421. Two-thirds of one percent of 794.21 — that is, two-thirds of 7.9421 — is 5.2947. The fraction is determined by multiplying by two and then dividing the result by three. Adding 524.1786 and 5.2947 together produces a result of 529.4733. Rounding to cents gives us the appropriate compensation rate, $529.47.
Notably, the mathematical equivalent of the statutory definition of the compensation rate is still a fractional amount: two-thirds of the AWW. In this example, one would multiply 794.21 by two to get 1,588.42, and then divide 1,588.42 by three to get 529.47; rounded to cents, this again is $529.47. Using the Employer's multiplier — a decimal number — gives a different, less accurate, result: 794.21 times .66667 is 529.4759807, which, rounded to cents, is $529.48. And using the JCC's multiplier gives yet a third result: 794.21 times .6667 is 529.499807, which, rounded to cents, is $529.50. These differences of two or three cents become significant when repeated over multiple payments, and are even more significant when they form the basis of awards of penalties, interest, costs, and attorney's fees.
Because the Employer did not pay less than the compensation rate required by statute, the JCC erred in ordering the Employer to pay more. The JCC consequently erred in awarding associated penalties, interest, costs, and fees.
AFFIRMED in part and REVERSED in part.
RAY and SWANSON, JJ., concur; WOLF, J. concurring in part and dissenting in part.
WOLF, J., Concurring in part and Dissenting in part.
I reluctantly agree to reverse because I can find no precedent which would allow us to affirm a miscalculation of the compensation rate simply because the amount involved is de minimis. I would, however, exercise our discretion and award Claimant attorney's fees for defending this appeal pursuant to section 440.34(5), Florida Statutes (2007), because it is my belief that this appeal should not have been taken for the reasons stated within this opinion.
The crux of this appeal is an alleged miscalculation of the compensation rate. The disputed amount at most is 3¢ per week. Claimant states in her brief that the total maximum difference in total benefits that would be paid out is insignificant. The Employer does not dispute this amount but asserts that "without requiring the Employer to pay the Claimant an attorney's fee and costs [for benefits obtained in front of the JCC], it is unlikely this appeal would have resulted."
The Employer, however, does not specifically argue that the JCC erred in granting
It is also unclear to me that the potential size of the trial attorney's fees in this case justifies an appeal.
The injury in this case took place prior to July 1, 2009; thus, in determining the appropriate trial fee to be awarded, the court would be governed by the test of reasonableness and the factors enumerated in Lee Engineering & Construction Co. v. Fellows, 209 So.2d 454 (Fla.1968), as codified in section 440.34(1), Florida Statutes (1977). See Murray v. Mariner Health, 994 So.2d 1051 (Fla.2008). Two very important factors in this calculation are: (1) the amount involved in the controversy and the benefits resulting to Claimant, and (2) the time and labor required in relation to the controversy at issue. In the instant case, both factors would be minimal. As previously noted, the amount in controversy below was insignificant. The issue in dispute was simple and involved presentation to the JCC of a mathematical calculation formula — hardly a time-consuming effort. If more than a small fee is awarded to Claimant for her attorney's work before the JCC, the Employer may have an issue worthy of appeal. At the present time, there is no significant dispute justifying the time and expense of this appeal. I would thus award Claimant an appellate attorney's fee.