Emotional support animals found medically necessary.

A Jacksonville District judge of compensation claims ordered an employer to reimburse an injured worker for the purchase of an emotional support animal. The judge found that the employer waived its right to challenge medical necessity, citing the Parodi self-help case in support of the decision. The judge noted in the order that, although the employer does not have to authorize the requested care in the 3/10 timeframe, the employer does have to respond. The judge also overruled the employer’s objections that an emotional support animal is not medical treatment under the statute, finding it was recommended as a form of treatment by the authorized treating physician and based on the testimony on the authorized provider, the employer’s IME, and the EMA.

_{Case Law Alerts, 1st Quarter, January 2019}

_{Case Law Alerts is prepared by Marshall Dennehey Warner Coleman & Goggin to provide information on recent developments of interest to our readers. This publication is not intended to provide legal advice for a specific situation or to create an attorney-client relationship. Copyright © 2019 Marshall Dennehey Warner Coleman & Goggin, all rights reserved. This article may not be reprinted without the express written permission of our firm.}