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Justice Administrative Commission

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Claims Administration


The Division of Risk Management, Bureau of Claims Administration, at the Florida Department of Financial Services, is responsible for the investigation and resolution/settlement of claims involving or against state offices, universities and injured state employees. Coverages provided by the Division include the following types. The Division also provides management and oversight of lawsuits filed against state offices and universities.

Select an item for details:

Workers’ Compensation  | Fleet Automobile Liability | General Liability
Federal Civil Rights/Employment Discrimination | Court Awarded Attorney Fees | Property

Workers' Compensation

The Workers' Compensation section is responsible for processing and paying workers’ compensation benefits for injured State employees, including Medical, Indemnity and Death Benefits. Investigations of claims are conducted by the section’s staff. Field investigations, surveillances and investigations of suspected cases of workers' compensation fraud services are performed by contracted vendors and defense of litigated claims is provided by contract law firms.

Medical Case Management: Since January 1, 1997, the Program has contracted with vendors to provide managed care services. Medical care is "managed" by medical case managers who are registered nurses, or are supervised by registered nurses, in conjunction with either a medical network or panel of clinicians.

Fleet Automobile Liability

This program provides auto liability insurance through the State Risk Management Trust Fund, for claims arising out of the ownership, maintenance, or use, including loading or unloading, of any:

  • owned,
  • hired or
  • non-owned automobile

used by an employee, agent or volunteer of the State, while acting within the course and scope of their office or employment.

The program has the responsibility of investigating, evaluating, negotiating, and making appropriate disposition of any auto claims and lawsuits filed against the State. Investigations of claims are conducted by staff and/or in concert with a contracted adjusting service. Defense of litigated claims is provided by the Attorney General’s Office, contract law firms, or State office attorneys.

In accordance with Section 768.28, Florida Statutes, the limits of liability (under the waiver of sovereign immunity law) for which the State may be sued, are $200,000 per person’s claim, $300,000 for all claims.

As of 7/1/04, Risk Management has offered coverage for property damage to state vehicles sustained when these vehicles are being used in approved off-duty use by a law enforcement officer. Risk Management establishes a premium each year for this coverage and there is a $500 deductible per incident if the law enforcement officer is determined to be at fault.

General Liability Coverage

This program provides general liability claims coverage through the State Risk Management Trust Fund. The state is liable for damages for injury, death, or loss of property caused by the negligence of its employees, agents or volunteers while acting within the course and scope of their employment or responsibilities. The self-insurance coverage includes:

  • Premises and operations,
  • Personal injury, and
  • Professional liability.

The program has the responsibility of investigating, evaluating, negotiating, defending and making appropriate disposition of claims/lawsuits filed against the State because of a negligent act or omission. Investigations of claims are conducted by staff and/or in concert with a contracted adjusting service. Defense of litigated claims is provided by the Attorney General’s Office, contract law firms, or State Office attorneys.

In accordance with Section 768.28, Florida Statutes, the limits of liability (under the waiver of sovereign immunity law) are $200,000 per person’s claim, $300,000 per occurrence for all claims.

Federal Civil Rights/Employment

This program provides federal civil rights and employment discrimination claims coverage through the State Risk Management Trust Fund. This coverage includes:

  • Federal civil rights actions filed under 42 U.S.C 1983 (and other similar federal statutes),
  • Plaintiff attorney fees/awards (where so provided by the covered federal statutes),
  • Employment discrimination actions filed under 42 U.S.C 2000e, Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, as amended by the Civil Rights Act of 1991, and
  • The Florida Civil Rights Act of 1992, and other similar employment discrimination acts and statutes.

The program has the responsibility for investigating, evaluating, negotiating (settling), defending and making appropriate disposition of any covered action filed against State offices, their employees, agents, or volunteers. Investigations of claims are conducted by staff and/or in concert with contracted adjusting service. Defense of litigated claims is provided by the Attorney General’s Office, contract law firms, or State Office attorneys.

There is no monetary liability caps associated with federal civil rights actions. Title VII has a $300,000 cap for compensatory damages while The Florida Civil Rights Act of 1992 has a $100,000 cap. In addition to these amounts, front and back pay (past and future salary amounts determined to be due from a State Office), and plaintiff attorney fees for which a State Office becomes liable, can be paid under Title VII and The Florida Civil Rights Act of 1992 cases.

Court Awarded Attorney Fees

This program provides court awarded attorney fees coverage through the State Risk Management Trust Fund.

This coverage pays on behalf of the state, court awarded attorney fees and costs in other proceedings (for which coverage is not afforded under s. 284.30, Florida Statues), in which the State is not a prevailing party. Risk Management has the right to participate in the defense of any suit or appeal with respect to the payment of attorney fees.

State Property Insurance Coverage

This program provides property coverage through the State Risk Management Trust Fund. The division offers coverage for damages to covered property caused by specific insured perils, such as fire, windstorm and lightning. The self-insurance coverage includes:

  • Buildings,
  • Contents,
  • Loss of rental income when the coverage is required by bonding or revenue certificates or resolution.
  • Non-owned State-leased real property can be covered if an approved lease provides and conforms to the coverage under the property policy.

The program has the responsibility of investigating, evaluating, negotiating, and settling covered property claims. Investigations are conducted by staff and/or in concert with a contracted adjusting service.
Link to the Florida Department of Financial Services (DFS) Property Manual 

Important Information for your Safety



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Workers' Compensation


The purpose of the Workers’ Compensation program is to coordinate and manage claims relating to work injuries sustained by employees with the Justice Administrative Commission (JAC) and the offices we administratively serve. Some aspects of the claims process include: reporting an injury, obtaining medical treatment, and returning the employee to work.

The ultimate goal is to return the employee to work as quickly and efficiently as possible.

All employees of the JAC and the offices we administratively serve are covered under Risk Management's workers’ compensation program from their first day on the job. That includes full-time, part-time, and temporary employees.

Volunteer workers are covered for medical benefits. However, coverage is not extended to contracted employees, independent contractors, or vendors who provide services to state offices.

All work related injuries and illnesses are to be reported to Amerisys at 800-455-2079.

Workers’ Compensation Broken Arm Posters

Information needed when reporting First Notice of Injury

  • The 4-digit location code
  • The employee’s class title
  • The employee’s class code
  • The injured employee’s full name
  • The injured employee’s Social Security Number
  • The injured employee’s home address, telephone number and birth date
  • The injured employee’s rate of pay
  • The date the employee was hired
  • The date the employer had knowledge of the accident or injury
  • The location of the accident (i.e., premises, job-site, on route, in field, etc.), including address and county in which the injury occurred.
  • The date and time of the accident or injury
  • A description of what caused the accident or injury
  • A detailed description of the injury, including what part(s) of the body was affected


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Risk Management & Workers' Compensation Frequently Asked Questions


The following is a FAQ page for Risk Management and Workers’ Compensation. This page will be updated as new questions and answers are received.


  • Q. In reference to Crime Fidelity Insurance, what are “Employee Dishonesty”, Class 1 Employees?
  • A. Class 1 Employees are ratable employees. Ratable employees consist of all management positions (agency heads, assistant agency heads, directors, assistant directors, bureau chiefs, assistant bureau chiefs, supervisors, presidents, comptrollers, etc.), all officers, police officers, and all employees who handle, have custody, or maintain records of money, securities and/or other property (cashiers, accountants, bookkeepers, mail room personnel, etc.).
  • Q. What are some of the reasons for increased premiums?
  • A. Some of the reasons for increased premiums are new claims, exposures, new payments and historical losses. DFS will provide a more specific reason on a case by case basis.
  • Q. Are all disabilities covered under Workers’ Compensation?
  • A. No. Only those disabilities that are causally related to an accidental injury “arising out of and in the course of the employment” or to occupational disease, are compensable.
  • Q. My employer and the insurance company have denied my claim for workers' compensation benefits. Do I need legal representation to get my benefits? What should I do?
  • A. It is your decision whether or not to hire an attorney. However, the EAO can assist you and attempt to resolve the dispute. If unable to resolve, the EAO can further assist you in completing and filing a Petition for Benefits. This service is provided at no cost to you. For assistance call: (800) 342-1741 or email wceao@myfloridacfo.com. For the location of the nearest EAO, see District Offices.
  • Q. If I'm only temporarily disabled, how long can I get these checks?
  • A. On Wednesday November 9th, 2016, The First District Court of Appeal ruled that temporary partial benefits are payable for 260 weeks, not the current 104 weeks as provided in statute. The court applied the ruling in Westphal by the Supreme Court extending temporary total benefits to 260 weeks and now applied this period to temporary partial benefits.