Summary
holding fact that workers' compensation claimant was illegal alien did not preclude entitlement to benefits for work-related injury
Summary of this case from Safeharbor Emp. v. VelazquezOpinion
No. AJ-166.
November 9, 1982.
Appeal from the Deputy Commissioner.
James M. Hess of Driscoll, Langston Kane, Orlando, for appellants.
Thomas R. Mooney of Meyers, Mooney, Adler Hammond, P.A., Orlando, for appellee.
We affirm the deputy's order finding that appellee, an alien illegally in this country, is entitled to Chapter 440 benefits for a work-related injury notwithstanding his immigration status. Section 440.02(2)(a), Florida Statutes (1980 Supp.), specifically included aliens among those "employees" entitled to benefits, and nothing in the statute suggests that workers not lawfully immigrated are excluded. See White v. Conoley Fruit Harvesting, Inc., IRC Order 2-3877 (1979). Appellants' other points have no merit.
AFFIRMED.
SHIVERS and THOMPSON, JJ., concur.