About Us

This is the official website of the Florida Office of the Judges of Compensation Claims (OJCC). The OJCC is part of the Division of Administrative Hearings (DOAH) . The OJCC is responsible for the mediation and adjudication of disputes over workers compensation benefits. The OJCC does not regulate insurance carriers, nor regulate the adjusting of workers' compensation claims generally. The OJCC is not responsible for regulating the actions of attorneys. This site provides information and tools that are useful in these disputes. The purpose of this website is to provide general guidance, not legal advice. No personnel of the OJCC are permitted to provide legal advice.

Thirty (30) Judges preside in thirteen (13) District Offices throughout Florida. Each Judge of Compensation Claims is appointed by the Governor for a four year term, based upon the recommendation of the Statewide Judicial Nominating Commission. The District Offices process the pleadings, provide for mediation and trial when appropriate. A Judge presiding in one of these District Offices will ultimately decide disputes if necessary. In District Offices with more than one Judge, cases are assigned randomly.

The Florida Workers' Compensation system is self-executing, defined primarily by Florida Statutes, Chapter 440. Workers' Compensation is intended to provide individuals injured at work with medical treatment and partial income replacement when a work injury or illness occurs. Chapter 440 defines who participates in the Florida Workers' Compensation system, and the participants' rights and responsibilities. The primary participants in this system are employers and their employees. Some employers purchase workers' compensation insurance from a "carrier." These two parties are often collectively referred to as the "employer/carrier" or the "E/C."

Regulation of the Florida Workers' Compensation system is the responsibility of the Division of Workers' Compensation (DWC), which is part of the Florida Department of Financial Services (DFS). The Bureau of Employee Assistance Office (EAO), part of the DWC, will assist injured workers by educating and informing them of their rights and responsibilities as an injured worker. The DWC’s website has helpful information to assist injured workers to understand the Florida workers’ compensation system. In many instances, the EAO is able to obtain benefits that have previously been denied or withheld. Workers' Compensation specialists in the EAO are not attorneys and are not able to represent claimants, but they are available and able to assist in the proper completion and filing of the PFB form. EAO facilities are located throughout the state.

In many instances, the injured worker is provided with workers' compensation benefits by her/his employer, or the employer's insurance company, without litigation. Therefore, many workers' compensation claims are not reported to the OJCC. Whenever an injured worker concludes that she/he should be provided benefits that their employer or carrier refuses to provide, it is the mission of the OJCC to efficiently and impartially decide those disputes.