Florida Injury Attorneys Blog

Published on: June 15, 2018

3rd Party Lawsuits against Triple Canopy and SOC

This firm likes to find third party liability cases and obtain settlements for the clients. However, we will not lie to a client about their having a third party claim. Just to be clear there are no valid pending lawsuits against Triple Canopy and/or SOC. This includes cases against them for unpaid wages or whistleblower (quitam) cases. The former employees of these companies do not have standing to bring these cases in the USA which means there is no money the client will obtain on these cases. The only successful case against Triple Canopy was filed by the U.S. Government based on information given by a former employee who documented the U.S. Government was overcharged by Triple Canopy. This was based in the fact the guards Triple Canopy hired could not pass a firearms test and falsified test scores for unqualified guards and thus the U.S. Government was overbilled for the skill level of the guards. Here is the link to the Justice Department:

IMG_6201-1-300x225 I have reviewed contracts and received information that our clients and other guards injured in war zones are being asked to pay money to attorneys in Peru who will make third party claims. This is not allowed under U.S. Law. Understand the DBA is a law that allows workers injured while under contract to an American contractor to recover for medically documented injuries such as hearing loss, psychiatric issues, physical injuries and lost wages; but not pain and suffering. There is no 3^rd party case to be made for the injured workers in Peru. We do not ask for the worker to pay money up front and you should not give any attorney money up front nor from your settlement. Recently I have heard rumors that a Peru attorney will guarantee an $85,000 settlement on a 3^rd party case. An injured worker should not give up the money we obtain for them on their settlements by signing any part of it away to an attorney pursuing a 3^rd party lawsuit in Peru. We have actually seen a contract distributed by a Peru attorney which states he guarantees the client that signs his form a million dollars plus he asks them to pay him money. This is not proper and there will be no settlement of $1,000,000 nor $85,000 based on lawsuits filed in Peru. Do not fall for this and do not give away your money that we work so diligently to obtain for you.

Published on: March 30, 2018

Para hacer un reclamo hacia DBA es necesario completar el formulario de ganacias

By Jo Ann Hoffman & Associates, P.A.

Para aquellos trabajadores que han sido enviados a las zonas de guerra, y han descubierto que tiene lesiones una vez que regresaron a su casa, incluso si esta en un país diferente. Si usted tiene dificultad para escuchar por haber estado expuesto a bombardeos o experimenta pesadillas o reacciones de sobresalto a ruidos fuertes, es necesario que busque tratamiento médico en su propio país. Hasta que no vea a un doctor no podemos hacer una reclamación por usted. Una vez que vea al médico, usted necesita enviarnos toda la documentacion de apoyo como los registros médicos. Solo asi podemos presentar su reclamo.

Ear-1-300x200 Usted puede obtener mas detalles en mi foro de informacion acerca del DBA( Defense Base Act).

Este bufete de abogados representa a los trabajadores que han perdido sus honorarios bajo el contrato de empleo. Les estamos enviando una solicitud (LS200 Report of Earnings). Favor de llenarla, ya que permitira que el empleado que ha sido lesionado pueda documentar sus honorarios perdidos y sus problemas fisicos o psiquiatricos, desde que dejo de trabajar. Por otra parte también permitiria a la compañia de seguro calcular sus ingresos debidamente en acorde con sus lesiones. Continue reading →

Published on: March 28, 2018

Making a DBA Claim and Completing the Earning Form

By Jo Ann Hoffman & Associates, P.A.

For those workers who have been sent to war zones to work, you may discover you have injuries once you return to your home even if in a different country. When you are having difficulty hearing from being exposed to bombing or experiencing nightmares or startle responses to loud noises, you should seek medical treatment in your own country. Until you see a doctor we cannot make a claim for you. Once you see the doctor we will need to see those medical records. We can then file a Claim and I discuss that in my other blogs.

This firm represents many injured workers who have lost wages since their last employment when they were under contract to work. I want to provide access to the form you will need to complete to have your lost wages considered. The form is called an LS200 Report of Earnings. What it does is allow the injured worker to document his earnings since the time he lost his employment where his injury is ongoing as with spinal physical injuries or psychiatric injuries. This is important because this documentation allows the insurance company to calculate the wage loss of the injured worker.

Let me explain it with an example. Say when you were working you earned $200 per week. Your psychiatric injuries have prevented you from working for 6 months of the twelve months since you lost your employment. Your lost wage benefit is payable at 2/3 of your $200 per week earning or $133.33 per week. If you lost 6 months of wages you are eligible for 26 weeks times $133.33 or $3,466.58 but you must complete the earnings form so the proper calculation can be made.

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Published on: March 22, 2018

Winning a death case for children in Guatemala

By Jo Ann Hoffman & Associates, P.A.

When our firm received a call that a worker pulling up plywood on a new townhouse construction project had died, we went to the scene. In St. Petersburg, FL we were able to canvas the site and find the building permits to identify the company to pursue for death benefits. Learning from the employer that he did not care about the death and would not pay benefits, only increased our desire to obtain benefits for the children of the deceased. Every life has benefit and every life deserves respect. This firm spoke with the owner of the project who agreed to contact the employer about the accident.

IMG_4410-e1521756625851-1-225x300 Javier Ruiz from our firm filed a claim for benefits in the State of Florida Workers Compensation Courts and after one year of litigation a settlement was reached which had to be approved through the Guardianship Court as the deceased was survived by three minor children. In the State of Florida, $150,000.00 is the maximum payment for an on the job death. After obtaining Court approvals these proceeds can be disburse to help raise 3 minor children who are forever without the aid and support of their father.

It is our unwavering commitment to those who have no voice that drives our passion to help. We travel and fight for those who would be left without a voice, left without a remedy. We are a better society for helping those that come here to help us perform our construction. These are people who work to have money to send home for their children. We will not ignore indigent children because they have to eat, grow and learn all without a father who worked until his death to support them.

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Published on: February 26, 2018

The Simple Solution to Control AR Rifles

By Jo Ann Hoffman & Associates, P.A.

Florida has experienced the tremendous loss associated with the Parkland shooting which is now among the 10 deadliest mass shootings in America. It is time for us to come together and implement change so these mass shootings stop.

Many people are coming up with ideas. I have been encouraged by the Governor’s recommendation to restrict the age at individual can buy AR rifles to 21 although 25 would be better. I like the idea of banning AR rifles altogether, but what do we do with the ones that exist?

I like the idea of better background checks and stopping the availability of AR rifles to those with mental illness. We need to be able to stop an evil person who has an AR rifle and starts threatening people before he acts. We should be able to arrest and incarcerate them at that point and confiscate the AR rifle(s). We want to allow police to proactively arrest an evil person seeking to kill one or more with his AR rifle before he strikes.

I want to share an important lesson I learned when I was a young law student. I defended a minor who was charged with the burglary of a home. I was successful in defending the case and winning the trial for him. As a result of that he was released from juvenile court jail and I went on my Christmas vacation. When I returned, I learned he went out before Christmas and killed two people at random coming out of the shopping mall. That was a true wake up call for me and I realized it would not be my calling to go into criminal defense. It made me realize that an evil person will always do evil even when given a second chance, put in a loving home or given help. They will look at you, do evil and say, “You knew I was evil when you tried to help me.”

I see that when there is a tragedy such as a mass shooting there is focus on why the person did it. Was he not schooled properly, not given enough help and so on? It may be interesting to look back but inevitably the person was evil and would commit an atrocious act in the future.

People might say, “He was a ticking time bomb,” “I knew he would shoot up the school someday.” He had a screw loose.” Ok let’s say all those things were known to be true.

Law enforcement can do nothing. Why? They can’t arrest people on possibilities, on crazy likelihoods or suspicions unless the person has put his plan into words written or spoken. Remember the Las Vegas shooter never exposed his plan. So what we need to do is give law enforcement the ability to prevent these tragedies from continuing to occur.

That is why I put my idea out as The Simple Solution. Continue reading →

Published on: January 30, 2018

Longshore Benefits for Injuries or Death on Tow Boats

By Jo Ann Hoffman & Associates, P.A.

Longshore benefits are available to workers injured on recreational yachts over 65 feet and to those working on towboats or tugboats of any size per 33 USC 902 which is the Longshore statute. When the injury occurs on such a maritime vehicle, the questions are 1. what benefits are available and 2. what caused the injury. Let’s discuss the benefits that are available first.

Now under the Longshore statute, the injured worker will receive 2/3rd of the injured worker’s gross 52 week average of pay up to a maximum of $1,471.78 per week in 2018. If the accident caused death, then the family will receive $3,000 in funeral expenses PLUS compensation pursuant to 33 USC Section 906-909. This means the wife will receive 50% of the average wage of the decedent up to the maximum (presently $1,471.81 per week.) If there is one or more children an additional 16 2/3% will be paid again up to the maximum weekly compensation rate. The definition of children includes adopted children, stepchildren, an acknowledged child born out of wedlock, or a child born after the death of the injured worker. The widow’s benefits will terminate with her remarriage except for a two year stipend of compensation that will be paid in a lump sum. In the case of remarriage, the remaining children would then receive additional compensation. If one child then that child would receive 50% of the worker’s average wage and if there are additional children then all together the children will receive benefits equal to 66 2/3 % of the worker’s average weekly pay. Now the benefits paid to a minor child do not continue forever as they end when the child turns 18 or if the child is a student pursuing full time school their weekly benefits can be paid up to age 23.

If the deceased worker leaves no surviving spouse or child, then benefits will be paid to those DEPENDENT relatives including grandchildren, brothers or sisters or parents or any other person satisfying the definition of dependent under 26 USC 152. These people must prove the injured worker contributed to their living expense in some way, ie rent, cash, payment of bills, place to live, or the like.

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Published on: January 9, 2018

Pedestrian Knockdown Settlements in Florida

By Jo Ann Hoffman & Associates, P.A.

Tourists, visitors to Florida, and city pedestrians: Please realize there is a high incidence of pedestrians knockdown accidents and bicyclists being struck by cars in Florida. As a City, Fort Lauderdale is ranked last in terms of safety. These are reasons to look all ways and be super careful when crossing a street even if you have the right of way. You can be dead right in Florida and often the person who hit you has no insurance to pay for your injuries. Florida has more uninsured drivers than any other state.

FullSizeRender_4-1-300x257 Why is this? Well Florida has no upper age limit on drivers and it has a lot of elderly people who drive to get around. Florida also has many tourists who drive and are unfamiliar with Florida traffic and laws. Consider that all rental cars are only required to provide $10,000 in Bodily Injury Liability Insurance. Worse yet Florida does not require drivers to carry ANY Bodily Injury Liability Insurance. That is correct only Property Damage Liability and PIP are required by Statute. Unless the driver caused prior injuries in which case he is required to have Bodily Injury liability insurance which the driver can’t afford so they drive with no insurance.

People with multiple accidents, drug or alcohol addiction or serious illnesses may not be able to buy affordable auto insurance and thus will drive with no insurance. Only uninsured motorist coverage will protect you and your family member for these injuries. Uninsured motorist coverage is construed broadly and covers your entire family household.

PIP which is also called Florida’s No-Fault law provides $10,000 in payment of medical bills and lost wages for injuries caused by a car accident where the person is a pedestrian or a bicyclist. The Florida Law recently required that the injured person obtain medical treatment within 14 days of the accident for PIP to pay. When the doctor opines there is a emergency medical condition, the full $10,000 in PIP can be paid. Most people don’t realize their PIP or medical payments coverage will pay for their injuries in Florida when they live out of state, out of country or are just visiting.

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Published on: August 13, 2017

Lesiono mientras trabajaba en el extranjero en el extranjero

By Jo Ann Hoffman & Associates, P.A.

Si usted se lesiono mientras trabajaba en el extranjero para un contratista estado unidense, lo primero que debe hacer es reportar su lesion y presentar un formulario LS-203 con prueba de que lo notifico a su empleador DBA. Es una buena idea enviar dicha notificacion por correo electronico al ajustador y tambien al mismo tiempo mandarse una copia ha usted mismo, para que posea prueba del envío. Asegurase de enviarnos un mensaje de texto a 1-754-317-2823 para una consulta gratuita especialmente si usted esta teniendo problemas psiquiátricos despues de ser estacionada en una zona de guerra. Es muy importante que usted tiene su abogado presentar una reclamación dentro de un ano de haber un psiquiatra diagnosticar una condición psiquiátrica causada por su empleo.

Una vez que el examinador de reclamos de OWCP esta asignado a su caso, entonces usted puede tener una conferencia establecida a traves de una solicitud por escrito para una conferencia informal. Con esta solicitud por escrito usted proporcionara detalles, documentacion y prueba medica para sus derechos y beneficios. Una vez que el examinador de reclamaciones de OWCP emita la recomendacion a su favor puede tener la esperanza pero no la expectativa de que la compania de seguros comience a pagar. Asegurese de que la recomendacion se ocupe de todos los problemas por los cuales busca compensacion para que el juez pueda decidir sobre todas esas cuestiones. Entregue su declaracion LS-18 antes de la audiencia 14 dias despues de la recomendacion emitida.

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Published on: July 25, 2017

DBA Claims with Third Party Liability

By Jo Ann Hoffman & Associates, P.A.

While rare, an attorney should always consider the viability of pursuing a third-party claim where a DBA injury is due to the negligence of a third-party other than your employer. This is allowed under 33 U.S.C. Section 933 (a) but has a strict requirement of notification under subsection (g)Compromise obtained by person entitled to compensation:

“1. If the person entitled to compensation (or the person’s representative) enters into a settlement with a third person referred to in subsection (a) for an amount less than the compensation to which the person (or the person’s representative) would be entitled under this chapter, the employer shall be liable for compensation as determined under subsection (f) only if written approval of the settlement is obtained from the employer and the employer’s carrier, before the settlement is executed, and by the person entitled to compensation (or the person’s representative). The approval shall be made on a form provided by the Secretary and shall be filed in the office of the deputy commissioner within thirty days after the settlement is entered into.

2. If no written approval of the settlement is obtained and filed as required by paragraph (1), or if the employee fails to notify the employer of any settlement obtained from or judgment rendered against a third person, all rights to compensation and medical benefits under this chapter shall be terminated, regardless of whether the employer or the employer’s insurer has made payments or acknowledged entitlement to benefits under this chapter.”Do not settle your third-party case without first obtaining written permission from both the employer and the DBA insurance company to settle the third party claim. If you settle the third-party claim without getting written consent you will lose all future compensation and medical treatment payable by the DBA insurance company. If you are settling your third-party case for less than the compensation you are entitled to under the DBA case, you must obtain written approval on Longshore DBA Form LS-33 which must be filed within 30 days of the settlement with the District Director.

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Published on: July 24, 2017

DBA Informacion sobre la veracidad en su caso

By Jo Ann Hoffman & Associates, P.A.

Ganar un caso de DBA es fácil, cuando se lo hace honestamente. Una vez que usted muestre el 1% de la causa de su lesion en el extranjero puede recuperar el 100% de su tratamiento medico. La Seccion 20a le da una presuncion de compensabilidad sobre las causas cuando usted establece que usted fue lesionado y la lesion ocurrio en el extranjero. Y ciertamente si usted es honesto, recibirá probablemente los beneficios medicos los salarios que se han perdido por un periodo de tiempo.

Llegara un momento en que la compania de seguros llevara a cabo una encuesta de mercado de trabajo para mostrarle que hay puestos de trabajo disponibles que usted puede desempenar. Cuando se reune con el representante de la compania de seguros que lleva a cabo la encuesta de mercado de trabajo, por favor, entienda que debe ser totalmente honesto acerca de la informacion sobre sus trabajos anteriores, incluso revelando cuando se le despidio. Tambien debe responder con sinceridad si tiene alguna condena de delito grave (arrestos). Los abogados de la compania de seguros recolectara sus registros de empleos anteriores, registros medicos y antecedentes penales. Si usted ha mentido a la persona de la encuesta de mercado de trabajo, el abogado de la defensa o al medico de la compania de seguros, estas declaraciones falsas son una razon importante para que el juez niegue su reclamo. Nadie espera que sea perfecto, pero si honesto. Yo pienso que este mundo seria muy aburrido si todos fueramos perfectos.

La misma regla en cuanto a la honestidad, se aplica tambien con su historial medico. Si tuviste dolor o heridas en la parte lesionada de tu cuerpo en el pasado, debe ser sincero y debe revelarlo. Si no recuerdas una lesion anterior o un dolor previo, es mejor decir “no lo recuerdo.” No hay necesidad de salir con una extremidad y decir “No, nunca me lastime la espalda, o el cuello, etc.” ya que en algun lugar de su historial medico pasado esta registrado dicho dolor o lesion previa. Si usted no recuerda esas lesiones, pero aun así da la impresión erronea de que ha mentido, el juez tomara eso como una razón para negar tu reclamo.

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