GM Attorney Appointed to The Florida Bar’s Workers’ Compensation Rules Advisory Standing Committee

Goodman McGuffey LLP Associate Attorney, Teri Bussey, has been appointed to The Florida Bar’s Workers’ Compensation Rules Advisory Standing Committee for 2020-2023. The Workers’ Compensation Rules Committee in in charged with the duty of regular review, evaluation of the Rules of Procedure for Workers’ Compensation Adjudications promulgated by the Division of Administrative Hearings (DOAH) and Office of Judges of Compensation Claims (OJCC) and assist DOAH and OJCC in the drafting rules of Workers’ Compensation procedure “to advance orderly and inexpensive procedures in the administration of justice.” See, Fla. R. Jud. Admin. 2.130(b)(6).

The Committee does not perform the same role as other standing “rules” committees of The Florida Bar. The Florida Supreme Court has determined that it lacks jurisdiction to promulgate rules of Workers’ Compensation procedure. See, Amendments To The Florida Rules Of Workers’ Compensation Procedure, 29 Fla. L. Weekly S 734 (Fla. Dec. 2, 2004). Therefore, the Committee does not follow the procedure for amending rules as set forth in Fla. R. Jud. Admin. 2.130. Instead, the Committee’s primary focus is Workers’ Compensation procedural rules proposed by DOAH and OJCC.

The Committee’s goal is to provide assistance to DOAH and OJCC in drafting Workers’ Compensation procedural rules and has authority to propose rules. The Committee is composed of experienced Workers’ Compensation practitioners.

The Committee is responsible to monitor rules changes proposed by DOAH and OJCC and advise the Board of Governors whether the Committee is in favor of or against the rules. The Committee shall inform The Florida Bar and its members of procedural rules promulgated by DOAH and OJCC. To learn more about the nature and purpose of this committee, click HERE.

Teri Bussey joined Goodman McGuffey’s Orlando, FL office as an Associate Attorney in December 2019 and focuses her practice primarily in the area of workers’ compensation. Teri is an active member of The Florida Bar and The Georgia Bar, as well as the Florida Defense Lawyers Association. Teri was appointed to the Florida Bar Board Certification Committee for Workers’ Compensation from 2015-2017 and became Florida Bar Board Certified from 2007-2017.