By: Betsy Campo, Partner, Gainesville Your eyes are not deceiving you; the number of pets sporting “emotional support animal” vests has been on the rise. In fact, according to researchers from the University of California at Davis, there has been a tenfold increase in the use of emotional support animals for psychiatric services in recent […]
By: Michael Arington, Associate, Jacksonville Employers and defense attorneys can expect more claims for high blood pressure because of new blood pressure guidelines from two leading medical associations. The new requirements mean more people will qualify for diagnoses of hypertension, resulting in more claims from first responders, claimants needing cardiac clearance for surgery, and claimant […]
By: Marcus Rodriguez, Associate, Orlando The holidays–we all love when the time of year comes around for end of year parties and company functions. Now that the season is over, the claims for compensability may be rolling in. While many understand that workers’ compensation policies protect employees who are injured within the course and scope […]
By: Zal Linder, Partner, and Ashley Rudolph, Associate, Atlanta With the growing trend of more and more states allowing for the use of marijuana, both medicinal and recreational, it is worth taking a closer look at the current status of the law on this issue. Under O.C.G.A. § 16-12-191, Georgia only allows the use of […]
By: Ryan Knight, Associate, Miami Like so many other law school graduates, I came into private practice thinking I knew everything there was to know. I thought the more aggressive I was and the louder I yelled, the better attorney it made me. Then, I had the opportunity to work with Dawn Traverso, my boss […]
By: Michael Quiggins, Partner, Tallahassee Have you ever coasted into your driveway after a long day at the office, only to realize much to your dismay that you just spent 30 minutes successfully traversing the perils of city traffic (and perhaps more) without a single conscious thought to speak of? Some neuroscientists suggest that the […]
By: Laura Ogg, Senior Counsel, Atlanta Two important decisions came out from the Supreme Court of Georgia and the Court of Appeals of Georgia in October: Ocmulgee EMC v. McDuffie and Sanchez v. Carter. In Ocmulgee, the court found that an employer need not show the availability of suitable employment to justify a suspension of […]
By Sean M. Jordan, Associate, Orlando An authorized treating physician will often refer a claimant to a specialist (e.g. orthopedist, neurologist) and name a specific physician (e.g., Dr. Smith). When this occrus, the employer/carrier must determine whether they have to authorize the named physician, Dr. Smith, or whether they can utilize their statutory right to […]
By: LeRyan Lambert, Senior Counsel, Atlanta A recent Gazette article discussed the financial benefits of maintaining valid and effective panels of physicians, and following panel procedure. Now, we will address another cost-controlling measure: preparing for and mitigating litigation costs by returning injured employees to work. Finding light duty accommodations can be daunting for employers. It […]
By: Faith Searles, Associate, Tampa How familiar are you with Newton’s third law? By way of a refresher, that tenet holds, “tfor every action there is always an equal and opposite, or contrary, reaction.” While many of us likely harken back to our seventh grade science class, this law also may bring to mind many […]