A mediation conference is something that many of my personal injury and workers’ compensation clients will experience in their case. Often times, a person involved in a car accident or work accident has not been involved in a mediation and is uncertain as to what will happen. This article will discuss what mediations are and.
Employers Benefits in Florida Workers Compensation Change, but Do Injured Workers?
Good news of employers in the workers compensation arena in Florida – rates are going down. However, this does little for those injured in work-related accidents who need workers’ compensation benefits. According to WTSP Tampa Bay 10 News, Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty recently announced that he was approving an overall 5.2 percent rate drop.
The Unfairness of Death Benefits in Florida Work Comp
Florida workers’ compensation benefits can be so unfair sometimes. One situation is when a worker is killed while working. Sadly, this happened last night when a worker was killed in Tampa by a large steal beam while operating a forklift, according to the Tampa Bay Times. The man, identified as Ricardo McCalop, was apparently using.
Workers’ Compensation Benefits for Dance Floor Injuries at Employer’s Party?
Florida workers’ compensation can be tricky. What if you get hurt at an employer-sponsored and paid-for Halloween party, Christmas party or company picnic? Are you entitled to workers’ compensation benefits? Well, a few days ago, a workers’ compensation judge in Orlando shed some light on this subject. Here are the facts of that case: A.
Why Do We Celebrate Labor Day?
This weekend we celebrate the American worker during Labor Day weekend. Although the working conditions now are far different than when Labor Day was introduced, the American workers still deserve recognition for making this country (and keeping this country) what it is today. Before Labor Day, during the Industrial Revolution in late 1800s, the average.
Men Shocked While Tree Trimming — Workers Compensation Benefits?
Two men were injured while within the course of their employment after their aluminum ladder made contact with power lines that they were trimming trees in Largo. According to the Tampa Bay Times, three workers from Happy Palms Tree Service was trimming trees at a home in Largo when two of them, identified as Lance.
Getting to Choose a Doctor in Florida Workers Compensation
In a Florida workers’ compensation claim, in almost all situations, the workers’ compensation carrier gets to choose the doctor the injured workers must treat with. Notwithstanding the self-help provision of the work comp statute (a subject for a later blog article), there is one opportunity to get the opinion of a doctor of your choosing.
Two Workers Hit by Car While Painting Crosswalk in Tampa
Certain jobs are at a higher risk to workers’ compensation claims. Doing roadwork is one of them. Unfortunately, two workers of Stripe-A-Lot Paving know this first hand. According to the Tampa Bay Times, Michael Madson of Largo and Craig Walls of Illinois were hit a car as they using a machine to paint the crosswalk.
Hurt on the Job? When Must You Report the Injury?
Under Florida’s workers’ compensation law, an employee is required to report a work accident within thirty (30) days. If the injured employee fails to report the accident within the 30 day period, he or she is barred from making a claim. However, there are exceptions. Under Florida Statute 440.185, the following statutory exceptions to the.
Paying Taxes on Car Accident Settlements, Work Comp and/or Social Security Disability Benefits
Tax Day is here again. Throughout the year, I am asked if the settlement from a car accident needs to be reported as income on taxes. Also, I am asked if the workers’ compensations benefits and Social Security Disability benefits are taxable. My standard answer is that I am a personal injury attorney and not.
Part of Florida Workers Compensation Law Found Unconstitutional
Florida Workers’ Compensation law is simply unfair to injured workers. Until last week, an undisputed injured worker would not be entitled to wage benefits despite being totally disabled because of a compensable work comp accident all because he had not reached maximum medical improvement yet. Florida’s First District Court of Appeals finally determined that this.
Work Comp Judge Reminds Us of Importance of Notice to Employer
A Florida Workers’ Compensation judge recently rendered an Order that should serve as a lesson as the importance of putting the employer on notice if you feel you suffered a work comp injury at work. Workers Compensation Administrative Law Judge Joseph Murphy denied an employee’s workers’ compensation claim on the basis that the employee failed.
Workers’ Compensation — Who Is Cheating the System?
When one workers’ compensation claimant pops up on surveillance as manipulating the system and wrongfully getting workers compensation benefits, the whole world knows about it. However, the fraud that goes on by the workers’ compensation carriers and some of the employers can be much worse. According to CBS News, AIG — American International Group Inc..
Workers’ Compensation Benefits Denied for Injury Caused by Public Urination
Workers’ compensation claims can happen in the weirdest ways. However, they are not always compensable. Recently, Florida 1st District Court of Appeals opined that the Judge of Compensation Claims was right in denying a lock technician’s claim for workers’ compensation benefits while being “on call.” The case was about an employee whose employment required him.
Are Epidural Steroid Injections (ESI) Better Than the New Procedure?
Steroid injections are often used to relieve lower back pain and leg pain caused from a car accident, trip and fall, or a workers compensation claim. Often times, these pains are caused by a herniated disc pressing on the nerve. A new type of medicine–Etanercept–is used for similar problems. Which one is better? According to.
Workers Compensation Appeal Won by Attorneys Lorrie Robinson and Matthew Noyes
Recently, Florida’s First District Court of Appeals ruled in favor of Attorneys Lorrie Robinson and Matthew Noyes in a workers’ compensation case. . The issue pertained to an advance in a Florida workers’ compensation claim. The Florida Workers’ Compensation Act permits advances of payment of compensation. Under Florida Statute 440.20(12)(c), a work comp claimant may.
Are Epidural Steroid Injections the Answer for a Disc Herniation?
Just yesterday, a workers’ compensation client asked my advice on whether she should have epidural steroid injections (ESI) or surgery for her back pain. Because I have a JD after my name and not a MD, I recommended that she research both recommendations and talk to her doctor and friends and family about it. Then,.
Judge Awards Workers’ Compensation Benefits and Wages After Final Hearing
Last week, the Judge of Compensation Claims awarded workers’ compensation benefits after Attorney Matthew Noyes presented the case at the Final Hearing. Despite the workers’ compensation carrier’s position that the recommended epidural steroid injections were not medically necessary or related to the workers’ compensation accident, the Judge disagreed and accepted the testimony of the injured.
Where Have Tampa Bay Workers Died in Recent Work Comp Accidents?
Workers’ Compensation Settlement is Not Always the Answer
In Florida, a workers’ compensation Claimant can settle their work comp case for a lump sum of money. This settlement is in exchange for the workers’ compensation carrier to no longer be responsible for future medical care and any possible future wage benefits. However, a quick or non-thought-out settlement can result in devastation, according to.