Protecting the Injured Worker; Should the Insurance Company’s IME be videotaped?
In Florida workers’ compensation cases, a dispute will often arise as to whether the injury being treated is related to the work accident, or whether the recommended treatment is medically necessary. If an injured worker files a petition asking for any type of benefit, the insurance company has the right, and is likely to exercise […]
IWP’s New Retail Access Program
IWP is a national pharmacy service working as an advocate for injured workers. They take the financial burden out of the prescription process by shipping medications directly to patients and collecting payment from insurance companies. In an effort to improve service, IWP’s New Retail Access Program allows injured workers to fill their prescriptions at a local pharmacy. […]
Florida House of Representatives holds “Legislator University” Training: Recent Issues Related to Workers’ Compensation
On December 2, 2016, the Florida House staff held a training session to educate members on issues related to the workers’ compensation system. This presentation includes a history of the “Grand Bargain” and issues going back to 1935. During the presentation lawmakers asked questions about the system including the role of NCCI in the process […]
Senate Banking and Insurance Committee Meeting of 12/13/2016
The Florida Senate Banking and Insurance Committee held an introductory meeting December 13, 2016 at 10:00a.m. in Tallahassee, Florida. The purpose of the meeting was to introduce the committee members, discuss the role of the committee and to provide a broad overview of the workers’ compensation system. After the Committee and staff provided their presentation, […]
FWA Welcomes NEUROInternational as a Platinum Sponsor!
Please help us welcome NEUROInternational as our new Platinum Sponsor. NEUROInternational offers a variety of services for injured workers with traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries and head injuries. Specifically, NEUROInternational can assist your clients with neurobehavioral issues, neurorehabiliation, vocational rehabilitation and neurobehavioral supported living as well as other assisted living programs. Their team members […]
WORKERS’ COMP FRAUD IS NOT WHAT YOU THINK IT IS – AT LEAST NOT MOST OF THE TIME
Contrary to what most people believe, workers’ compensation fraud is more that just an employee exaggerating his medical condition or working for cash while supposedly disabled. While these things do occur and are likely what we all think of when we hear “work comp fraud,” employer fraud (such as underreporting their payrolls to receive lower […]
Prevailing Party Costs; Case Update
PREVAILING PARTY COSTS: Does E/C’s Timely Response To PFB Negate Injured Worker’s Prevailing Party Status? Jennings v. Habana Health Care, ___ So.3d ___, 41 FLW D17 (Fla. 1st DCA 12-28-15) In December last year, the Court offered practitioners clarification as to when an injured worker can become a prevailing party for the purpose of taxing […]
Governor Scott Appoints Five New Judges of Compensation Claims
FWA is pleased to welcome and congratulate the following individuals on their appointments as the newest Judges of Compensation Claims by Governor Scott. Frank Clark has been a key member of the All Injuries Law Firm in Port Charlotte for 8 years. Judge Clark received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of South […]
The Alphabet Soup of Public Benefits
The Alphabet Soup of Public Benefits Guest blog from our sponsor Synergy Settlement Services. The original blog can be found here. By Jason D. Lazarus, J.D., LL.M., MSCC, CSSC Attorneys and clients alike get very confused about which governmental benefits are involved in a case as a result of the accident related disability. The acronyms […]
Florida Justice Association to Honor Three FWA Members on September 29th
FJA TO HONOR THREE FWA MEMBERS FOR THEIR RELENTLESS COMMITMENT, PERSEVERENCE AND FORTITUTE IN SEEKING JUSTICE We are proud to announce that Richard Chait, Mark Touby, and Richard Sicking will be honored by the Florida Justice Association as the recipients of the Jon E. Krupnick Award. The Jon E. Krupnick award recognizes and honors a […]
FWA Attendance and Testimony at OIR Rate Hearing
The Office of Insurance Regulation heard testimony on the 19.6% workers’ compensation rate increase yesterday. President Touby led a delegation that testified, including Chris Smith, Richard Chait and Rick Morales. Links to the video archive of the hearing can be found below. Part 1 Part 2 Additionally, Florida Politics published a story with quotes and […]
FWA Welcomes New Board Members
On June 3, 2016, elections were held in Orlando, Florida for seven At-Large seats on the FWA Board of Directors. FWA is pleased to announce the addition of four new members to the Board of Directors. The following FWA members were chosen by the general membership to serve on the Board of Directors: Lance Avera […]