Fla. Stat. 440.015
Legislative intent

It is the intent of the Legislature that the Workers’ Compensation Law be interpreted so as to assure the quick and efficient delivery of disability and medical benefits to an injured worker and to facilitate the worker’s return to gainful reemployment at a reasonable cost to the employer. It is the specific intent of the Legislature that workers’ compensation cases shall be decided on their merits. The workers’ compensation system in Florida is based on a mutual renunciation of common-law rights and defenses by employers and employees alike. In addition, it is the intent of the Legislature that the facts in a workers’ compensation case are not to be interpreted liberally in favor of either the rights of the injured worker or the rights of the employer. Additionally, the Legislature hereby declares that disputes concerning the facts in workers’ compensation cases are not to be given a broad liberal construction in favor of the employee on the one hand or of the employer on the other hand, and the laws pertaining to workers’ compensation are to be construed in accordance with the basic principles of statutory construction and not liberally in favor of either employee or employer. It is the intent of the Legislature to ensure the prompt delivery of benefits to the injured worker. Therefore, an efficient and self-executing system must be created which is not an economic or administrative burden. The department, agency, the Office of Insurance Regulation, and the Division of Administrative Hearings shall administer the Workers’ Compensation Law in a manner which facilitates the self-execution of the system and the process of ensuring a prompt and cost-effective delivery of payments.

Source: Section 440.015 — Legislative intent, https://www.­flsenate.­gov/Laws/Statutes/2024/0440.­015 (accessed Aug. 7, 2025).

440.01
Short title 440.02
Definitions 440.03
Application 440.04
Waiver of exemption 440.05
Election of exemption 440.06
Failure to secure compensation 440.09
Coverage 440.10
Liability for compensation 440.11
Exclusiveness of liability 440.12
Time for commencement and limits on weekly rate of compensation 440.13
Medical services and supplies 440.14
Determination of pay 440.15
Compensation for disability 440.015
Legislative intent 440.16
Compensation for death 440.17
Guardian for minor or incompetent 440.19
Time bars to filing petitions for benefits 440.20
Time for payment of compensation and medical bills 440.21
Invalid agreements 440.021
Exemption of workers’ compensation from chapter 120 440.22
Assignment and exemption from claims of creditors 440.23
Compensation a lien against assets 440.24
Enforcement of compensation orders 440.25
Procedures for mediation and hearings 440.28
Modification of orders 440.29
Procedure before the judge of compensation claims 440.30
Depositions 440.31
Witness fees 440.32
Cost in proceedings brought without reasonable ground 440.33
Powers of judges of compensation claims 440.34
Attorney’s fees 440.35
Record of injury or death 440.38
Security for compensation 440.39
Compensation for injuries when third persons are liable 440.40
Compensation notice 440.41
Substitution of carrier for employer 440.42
Insurance policies 440.44
Workers’ compensation 440.45
Office of the Judges of Compensation Claims 440.47
Travel expenses 440.49
Limitation of liability for subsequent injury through Special Disability Trust Fund 440.50
Workers’ Compensation Administration Trust Fund 440.51
Expenses of administration 440.52
Registration of insurance carriers 440.53
Effect of unconstitutionality 440.54
Violation of child labor law 440.55
Proceedings against state 440.055
Notice requirements 440.60
Application of laws 440.075
When corporate officer rejects chapter 440.077
When a corporate officer rejects chapter, effect 440.091
Law enforcement officer, firefighter, emergency medical technician, or paramedic 440.092
Special requirements for compensability 440.093
Mental and nervous injuries 440.094
Extraterritorial reciprocity 440.101
Legislative intent 440.102
Drug-free workplace program requirements 440.103
Building permits 440.104
Competitive bidder 440.105
Prohibited activities 440.106
Civil remedies 440.107
Department powers to enforce employer compliance with coverage requirements 440.108
Investigatory records relating to workers’ compensation employer compliance 440.125
Medical records and reports 440.132
Investigatory records relating to workers’ compensation managed care arrangements 440.134
Workers’ compensation managed care arrangement 440.151
Occupational diseases 440.185
Notice of injury or death 440.191
Employee Assistance and Ombudsman Office 440.192
Procedure for resolving benefit disputes 440.205
Coercion of employees 440.207
Workers’ compensation system guide 440.211
Authorization of collective bargaining agreement 440.271
Appeal of order of judge of compensation claims 440.345
Reporting of attorney’s fees 440.381
Application for coverage 440.385
Florida Self-Insurers Guaranty Association, Incorporated 440.386
Individual self-insurers’ insolvency 440.442
Code of Judicial Conduct 440.491
Reemployment of injured workers 440.515
Reports from self-insurers 440.525
Examination and investigation of carriers and claims-handling entities 440.572
Authorization for individual self-insurer to provide coverage 440.585
Workers’ compensation group self-insurance fund application disclosure 440.591
Administrative procedure 440.593
Electronic reporting 440.1025
Employer workplace safety program in ratesetting 440.1051
Fraud reports 440.1851
Personal identifying information of an injured or deceased employee 440.1926
Alternate dispute resolution 440.2715
Access to courts through state video teleconferencing network 440.3851
Public records and public meetings exemptions

Current through Fall 2025

§ 440.015. Legislative intent's source at flsenate​.gov