Blog
Death: The Final Benefit
By: Michael Casto, Associate, Orlando In fairy-tales and movies, chimney sweeps always wear top hats and tails, and they are covered in soot. This is not a fairy-tale or Mary Poppins, however, but rather workers’ compensation and real chimney sweeps. Picture, if you will, Jordan Sean, a 57-year-old employee of Chimney Sweeps, Inc. Picture Mr. […]
Social Security Offsets in Tennessee Workers’ Compensation
By: Lauren Ray Hall, Associate, Tennessee I recently handled a claim involving Social Security benefits in a Tennessee workers’ compensation case that, while unusual, raises an interesting question regarding a potential offset. In this case, the employee settled the Permanent Partial Disability (“PPD”) portion of his workers’ compensation claim and, after failing to return to […]
GA Legislative Update
Upcoming Changes To Georgia Workers’ Compensation Laws: A Quick Summary By: Dan Cauley, Associate, Atlanta The Georgia Legislature is in the process of passing a law which would provide some changes to a claimant’s entitlement to certain workers’ compensation benefits, and although it is currently pending approval, it reportedly has a very strong chance […]
Morgan’s Tip of the Week – Reporting Claims
Greetings, I have had a few clients lately ask me if a claim should be reported and denied or should it just be a “record only”. See below for what must be reported..and penalties and for not doing so. This is from our CEU, Tips on Handling the Late Reported Claim if you would like […]
Briefly Speaking – Case Law Updates (3/12/19)
Swilley, Stephanie vs. Dillards, Inc. JCC Holley: Jacksonville District Order Date: 2/28/2019 OJCC Case: 11-024583WRH Date of Accident: 9/10/2010 12-002849WRH 1/7/2012 Claimant’s Counsel: John Rahaim II E/C’s Counsel: Thomas Portuallo JCC Order: Click Here Briefly: Permanent Impairment Benefits Summary: Claimant was placed at MMI “from a […]
Morgan’s Tip of the Week – Fla WC Legislative Update
Greetings, There is a lot of noise starting to build in the industry about what the FL Legislature may do with WC this session. Right now there are two main bills, one in the House (HB 1399) and one in the Senate (SB 1636). There is no guarantee either will pass, and if so, no […]
FLORIDA WORKERS’ COMPENSATION AND WEED: HOW TO HANDLE A REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA
By: Russ Young, Partner, Sarasota On November 8, 2016, voters of the State of Florida passed a constitutional amendment by a 71% to 29% margin. This amendment legalized the use of medical marijuana for “debilitating medical conditions” when prescribed by a physician. Subsequently, the state legislature passed Florida Statute Section 381.986 entitled, “Medical Use of […]
ROSES ARE RED, CONTUSIONS ARE BLUE: THE COMPENSABILITY OF WORKPLACE RELATIONSHIPS GONE AWRY
By: Faith Searles, Associate, Tampa One of the most familiar themes in our modern culture is the workplace romance. Whether it’s couples on popular TV show like The Office’s Jim Halpert & Pam Beesly, Grey’s Anatomy’s Meredith Grey & Dr. McDreamy, or even way, way back with Sam Malone & Diane Chambers on Cheer’s, it […]
YOURS, MINE, AND HOURS: WHO PAYS WHEN AN HOURLY CLAIMANT LOSES HOURS TO ATTEND APPOINTMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ACCIDENT?
By: Caitlin Oliver Horowitz, Associate, Orlando I received an interesting phone call from an Employer on a claim recently. A claim was being actively litigated and settlement negotiations were at a standstill. The claimant was denied indemnity benefits and was missing work to attend mandatory events associated with her claim – depositions, mediations, doctor’s appointments. […]
LOVE IS IN THE AIR
By: Betsy Campo, Partner, Gainesville Ahhh…it is February, the month best known for Valentine’s Day and the celebration of love. Much has been written about love. Love is a many-splendored thing. All you need is love. Love makes the world go round. Love causes an increase in your experience mod. Wait…what? Okay, that last one might not […]