Workers' comp increase back in effect

A 14.5 percent increase to state workers' compensation rates will take effect Dec. 1 after the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation filed an appeal to a ruling that would have voided the rate hike.

The increase occurs after the OIR filed a notice of appeal with the First District Court of Appeal Monday. It came in response to a court order from Circuit Judge Karen Gievers of Leon County Nov. 23 that voided the increase.

The OIR originally approved the requested increase from the National Council on Compensation Insurance in September. NCCI is a U.S. insurance rating and data collection bureau that specializes in workers' compensation.