Moyer v. Bradford County School Board: Gainesville Spine Specialist Granted

In Moyer v. Bradford County School Board, OJCC Case No. 26-005428WRH, Judge William R. Holley addressed two location disputes after a compensable school-district fall involving the claimant's right wrist, shoulder, knee, and claimed cervical symptoms.

The JCC denied the claimant's request to require a Gainesville-area orthopedic one-time change from Dr. O'Connor. The employer/carrier had timely authorized an alternate orthopedic physician, secured a Jacksonville appointment within about two weeks, and offered transportation, so the judge found the selection reasonable under the totality of the circumstances.

The JCC reached a different result on the spine referral. Because the referral was not governed by the same five-day one-time-change deadline, and because the employer/carrier had notice of the claimant's Gainesville-location objection but made no inquiry into Gainesville spine providers, the judge found the Jacksonville spine authorization unreasonable.

The order granted authorization of a spine specialist in the Gainesville area, with the employer/carrier retaining the right to choose the specific specialist there. The order denied the Gainesville-specific orthopedic one-time-change claim with prejudice and reserved jurisdiction over attorney's fees and taxable costs.

Source: Compensation Order