Blevins v. Orange County Public Schools / USIS

JCC Stanton (Jacksonville) (10-21-26) (Bill Rogner) – Motion for Enforcement of settlement Agreement GRANTED. The parties attended mediation with Mediator Westcott on 6/25/26 but did not reach a settlement agreement. Mediator Westcott continued to work with the parties on 6/29/26 and 7/1/26. The claimant’s bottom-line demand was $150,000.00 inclusive. Mediator Westcott observed the claimant’s attorney calculate what the claimant would receive after fees and costs. The offer was never withdrawn or modified and on 7/10/26, via telephone, the claimant’s attorney reiterated the demand and again at the adjuster deposition on 7/21/26. On 7/23/26, the E/C accepted the claimant’s demand to settle. The claimant’s attorney requested the E/C increase its offer to include additional costs incurred since the last mediation. The claimant testified she never agreed to accept anything less than $150,000.00 net. The JCC rejected the claimant’s testimony for that of Mediator Westcott that he observed the claimant’s attorney calculate the claimant’s net settlement. The JCC found the claimant never withdrew her demand of $150,000.00 inclusive of fees and costs. The Court rejected the claimant’s attorney’s argument that after a Miles fee and costs, the claimant would net less than $111,710.00. As the JCC found there was a meeting of the minds, the Motion for Enforcement of Settlement Agreement was GRANTED.   Click here to view Order