worker's compensation

Published on: May 29, 2024

Settling vs. taking a case to trial in florida’s worker’s compensation system

When injured on the job, navigating the Worker’s Compensation system in Florida can be quite a daunting task. One of the most crucial decisions is whether to settle or take the case to trial (commonly referred to as a Final Merits Hearing). Keep in mind, if the case proceeds to trial, a Judge cannot award a monetary settlement rather medical or indemnity benefits. Regardless, either path has its own advantages and disadvantages, and understanding these can help one make an educated decision.

Understanding Worker’s Compensation in Florida

Florida’s Worker’s Compensation system is designed to provide benefits to employees who suffer work-related injuries or illnesses. These benefits include medical treatment, indemnity benefits, and last but not least compensation for permanent impairments. However, obtaining the aforementioned can be complex and sometimes contentious, leading to disputes between injured workers and their employers/insurance companies.

What is a Settlement?

A settlement is an agreement between the injured worker and the employer’s insurance company. When a settlement is entered into, one is essentially receiving a lump sum dollar amount, in exchange for closing the case, and waiving any rights to future claims related to the injury. Continue reading →

Published on: September 29, 2020

FLORIDA FRONTLINE WORKERS ARE COVERED FOR COVID

By Jo Ann Hoffman & Associates, P.A.

As we attempt to navigate through unchartered waters, the concern for most workers who return to work – whether you are a frontline worker or in the private sector and have no alternative but to work – is whether or not you will be covered under Florida Workers’ Compensation Laws if you contract Coronavirus (COVID-19). The good news is you are covered if you are a Florida frontline employee.

Are private sector workers covered for covid? It is not easy as the private worker must prove that Covid or Coronavirus which is considered an occupational disease, was contracted due to a unique risk or exposure pic-200x300 hazard at work; was contracted during employment; and that the nature of employment was the major contributing cause of the disease. Florida law 440.151. This burden is not an easy burden to satisfy, especially for private sector worker which includes, but not limited to, grocery employees, office employees, laborers, support staff workers, restaurant employees, etc. However, as of late, the burden for state frontline workers is no longer as stringent.

In April 2020, Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis directed the Division of Risk Management to provide workers’ compensation coverage to state frontline employees. The directive/special rules, found in the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Directive 2020-05, apply only to state frontline employees and not to the private sector workers. Directive 2020-05 states that Florida is going to honor workers’ compensation claims for state frontline employees. Covered employees include state employees who work directly with the public such as police officers, healthcare workers, family protective services investigators and emergency responders. The rules dictate that the burden is on the state to prove that the source of the Coronavirus is a source other than the employee’s work. In summation, it is more likely than not that state frontline employees who contract Covid- 19 a/k/a Coronavirus can expect to receive workers’ compensation benefits without much of a fight. Continue reading →

Published on: February 11, 2014

Pain May Serve as the Basis of an Emergency Medical Condition and an Emergency Medical Doctor can Testify in Workers’ Compensation

By Jo Ann Hoffman & Associates, P.A.

In the case of Jose v. Goodwill Industries and Gallagher Bassett, decided January 23, 2014, the First District Court of Appeals in Florida held that a Goodwill worker who passed out and fell at work was not able to pursue a workers’ compensation case because the claimant failed to produce objective medical findings substantiating an injury resulting from his fall at work. However, the Appellate Court noted that none of the doctors had been asked about the hospital CT scan taken on the date of the claimant’s accident, which revealed a hematoma or some hemorrhage. Neither of the doctors had been asked whether that condition substantiated an objective medical finding substantiating an injury at work.

Pain may serve as the basis of an emergency medical condition if, in the absence of immediate medical attention, the claimant could reasonably be expected to suffer “serious dysfunction of any bodily organ or part.” In the case of Manuel Cespedes v. Yellow Transportation, the First District Court of Appeal decided on November 26, 2013, that in this case the claimant had a compensable injury on March 20, 2006 and was MMI’d by Dr. Chris Brown with a 6% impairment for an L5-S1 disk herniation. Thereafter, he treated intermittently with Dr. Brown. On March 19, 2011, he was admitted to Kendall Regional Medical Center under the care of Dr. Acebal, Claimant was found to have a massive herniated disk at L5-S1, severely compressing the nerve roots and Dr. Acebal did immediate surgery at L5-S1. Prior to surgery Dr. Acebal offered to transfer the Claimant’s surgery to Dr. Brown because he needed immediate surgery. Dr. Brown told Dr. Acebal to do the surgery. On March 22 Dr. Acebal performed surgery and the Employer/Carrier denied any further medical care. The Claimant tended to offer into evidence the opinion of Dr. Acebal, but the Employer/Carrier objected. The JCC erroneously sustained that objection. This case was eventually reversed with the Employer/Carrier being ordered to pay for the surgery. Continue reading →

Published on: January 23, 2014

Illegal Aliens Entitled to Workers’ Compensation Benefits

By Jo Ann Hoffman & Associates, P.A.

A Florida Court has held that an illegal alien who was injured on the job is entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. In the case of HDV Const. Systems, Inc. v. Aragon, 66 So. 3d 331 (Fla. 1st DCA 2011), the Claimant, Luis Aragon, was an illegal alien who was injured while working as a framer. As he was working, he fell from a height of 30 feet and sustained numerous fractures to his left foot and left forearm.

Mr. Aragon was severely injured and received extensive medical treatment, including the implantation of a spinal cord stimulator. The doctors determined that the fall left him with severe permanent injuries, which included complex regional pain syndrome in the left foot accompanied by constant pain, nerve injury, and discoloration. Because of his injuries, the doctors determined that Mr. Aragon had permanent restrictions which would limit him to sedentary work only, meaning that he would be unable to perform any of his pre-injury occupations, which included construction, farming, and manufacturing.

Luis Aragon did not have a valid Visa and was living in the United States illegally. In addition, he had no driver’s license, had a limited education, was unable to speak, read, or write in English, and had no transferrable skills which would assist him in obtaining the sedentary employment to which he had been restricted by his doctors. Continue reading →