Bassham v. Rita Temporaries Inc. / Carolina Casualty Insurance Company / Key Risk

JCC Anthony (Tampa) (W. Rogers Turner) (5-22-2026) – Denied claim for TTD and TPD benefits. The JCC found that the claimant failed to meet her burden of proving her entitlement to the requested indemnity benefits. The claimant was placed at MMI and released to full duty with no work restrictions by authorized providers Dr. Haidamous and Dr. Cronen. Dr. Cronen opined that the claimant’s symptoms were not originating from her lumbar spine because there were no findings on her lumbar MRI consistent with the distribution of symptoms. The claimant’s IME, Dr. Fabio Fiore, opined that the claimant’s symptoms were consistent with a left-side radiculopathy or nerve problems and that the claimant had experienced a herniated disc in the L4-5 region. However, the JCC found Dr. Fiore’s opinions to be uncertain and instead accepted the opinions of Dr. Cronen and Dr. Haidamous. Consequently, the JCC denied TPD benefits, finding the claimant failed to demonstrate that the accident resulted in valid restrictions on her ability to return to work. Additionally, the JCC denied TTD benefits based on competent, credible evidence demonstrating that the claimant was never removed from her work.  Click here to view Order