Author Archives: Jay Butchko
How Does Workers’ Compensation Work in Florida?
In a nutshell, workers’ compensation in Florida provides benefits to employees who suffer work-related injuries or illnesses. These no-fault insurance benefits help cover medical expenses, lost wages, and other expenses related to an employee’s injury or illness that occurred while on the job. Legally, “no fault” means the same benefits are available even if… Read More »
Lawmakers Mull Workers’ Compensation Alternative
For many years, workers’ comp has been the exclusive remedy for job-related illnesses or injuries in Florida. A proposed bill may change that. H.B. 1069 would allow employers to continue providing benefits for occupational injuries under work comp or elect to become “a qualified compensation alternate employer,” and would have to create a written… Read More »
What to Expect in a Workers’ Compensation Matter
Most job injury victims can expect considerable opposition, at least initially, and, ultimately, a settlement. Over 80 percent of Florida workers’ compensation claims settle out of court. An out-of-court settlement is usually the best possible resolution because, in most cases, a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. A firm hold… Read More »
Drunk Drivers and Civil Cases in Florida
Among Gen Zers, alcohol consumption increases by over 60 percent during the holidays. Some people drink to celebrate, some people drink to make family get-togethers less confrontational, and some people just drink. Too many of these people get behind the wheel, thereby recklessly putting themselves, their passengers, and other motorists at risk for serious… Read More »
What Will Happen to My Disability Benefits in 2025?
The initial benefits process may change very little in 2025. The initial denial rate is already 67 percent. That number could not get much worse. However, the Social Security Administration’s disability review process may undergo significant changes. If a Disability Determination Services officer rules that the recipient can work or receives financial support from… Read More »
Appeals Court Rules on Workers’ Compensation SOL
In December 2024, the First Court of Appeals further muddied the waters in workers’ compensation statute of limitation matters with an inconclusive ruling in a key case. Florida workers’ compensation law allows a two-year statute of limitations on compensation claims. That means a claimant has two years from the time of the injury or… Read More »
Advanced Medical Bill Issues in Workers’ Comp Matters
Job injury claims are deceptively simple, mostly because liability (legal responsibility), the key element in these claims, is so easy to establish, at least in many cases. Job injury cases are no-fault cases. The victim must only establish a connection between the victim’s work environment and the claimed illness or injury to obtain full… Read More »
Maximum Medical Improvement and Workers’ Compensation
MMI is a physical therapy term that usually means “as good as it gets.” Generally, after they complete medical treatment, job injury victims go through physical therapy. In some cases, there’s a (relatively) happy ending. The victim fully recovers and life goes back to normal. In most cases, however, victims plateau during physical therapy…. Read More »
Five SSD Renewal Benefit Strategies
Social Security Disability benefits are available for permanent disabilities. A “disability” is “permanent” for Social Security Administration purposes if that disability lasts more than a year. So, the SSA usually orders annual benefit renewal reviews. If the applicant is no longer disabled, the SSA could cut off benefits. The SSA reluctantly granted benefits in… Read More »
Hearing Loss and Workers’ Compensation
Hearing loss is, by far, the most common occupational disease in the United States. Some sixty million Americans struggle with a significant degree of hearing loss, usually in both ears. This physical injury has emotional effects. People who cannot follow conversations often stop socializing. The withdrawal from family, friends, and pleasant activities causes a… Read More »
