Akerman achieved a victory on behalf of the Florida Chamber of Commerce and the Florida Justice Reform Institute as amici curiae in a high-profile case that challenged Florida's workers' compensation law. On June 24, the Third District Court of Appeal reversed a decision by the Miami-Dade County Circuit, which declared last year the existing workers' compensation system unconstitutional, without a fair adversary proceeding and effectively eviscerated the law in the absence of any case or controversy.

Akerman partners Katherine Giddings, Kristen Fiore and Gerald Cope, co-chair of the firm's Appellate Practice, served as co-counsel with William Large, president of the Florida Justice Reform Institute.

Giddings explained to the Daily Business Review, Insurance Journal and Law360 how this appellate decision is a significant win for both the business community and the public, as it brings certainty to the legal framework for workers' compensation in Florida.

"The decision is a great victory for all Florida employers and employees," Giddings told the publications. "As the Third District noted, the law immunizes from lawsuits both employers and their employees for covered, work-related injuries — while ensuring that employees have benefits when they are injured on the job."

Daily Business Review: "Court Thwarts Constitutional Challenge to Workers' Comp Law"
Law360: "Fla. Court Flips Ruling That Struck Down Workers' Comp Law"
Insurance Journal: "Florida Supreme Court Asked to Decide Constitutionality of Workers' Comp"