Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Do I Need a Florida Workers’ Compensation Lawyer?
A job injury victim might be wondering whether you need a workers’ compensation lawyer. Truthfully, some job injury victims don’t need legal representation. But these cases are few and far between. Typically, an experienced attorney usually changes the outcome of a claim for the better. Understanding when legal help is necessary can protect your… Read More »
When You Can Sue After a Workplace Accident Caused by a Third Party?
If you were injured at work, you may assume workers’ compensation is your only path forward. But what if someone outside your employer caused the accident? In Florida, you may have the right to file a separate lawsuit against a third party while still receiving workers’ compensation benefits. Ultimately, many injured workers ask whether… Read More »
Can You Choose Your Own Doctor in a Florida Workers’ Compensation Claim?
If you were hurt on the job in Florida, one of your first questions might be simple but important: can you choose your own doctor? The answer often surprises people. In most Florida workers’ compensation cases, the employer or its insurance carrier has the right to select the authorized treating physician. That means you… Read More »
Can You Lose Benefits for Missing a Doctor Appointment?
If you are receiving workers’ compensation benefits, keeping up with your medical care is not just about your health. It is also about protecting your claim. Many injured workers wonder what happens if they miss a doctor’s appointment. Could it really cost you your benefits? The short answer is yes, it can. But the… Read More »
What Medical Expenses Does Workers’ Compensation Pay?
By law, workers’ compensation insurance companies must pay all reasonably necessary medical expenses. This subjective term means different things to different people. Many insurance adjusters believe that “reasonably necessary” means “cheapest available.” The cheapest available treatment is usually not the best available treatment, mostly because many workplace injuries such as head injuries, are difficult… Read More »
Job Injuries and Medical Collections Notices
According to Florida law, workers’ compensation pays all reasonably necessary medical expenses. So, job injury and illness victims are not financially responsible for any unpaid charges. Therefore, if you were injured at work, saw a doctor, and received a bill, that bill is probably illegal under the Florida Consumer Collection Practices Act. Additionally, the… Read More »
Who’s Responsible for a Drunk Driving Crash in Florida?
Usually, the drunk driver is at fault for a drunk driving crash. However, under Florida law, a third party, such as a bar or restaurant, may be legally responsible for damages. The dram shop law (more on that below) holds alcohol providers responsible for damages when they illegally sell alcohol to people who later… Read More »
Workers’ Compensation and Lost Wage Replacement in Florida
In the wake of a disabling job-related injury or illness, the combination of medical bills and everyday bills is financially crippling in most cases. In Florida, a workers’ compensation insurance company must pay all reasonably necessary medical bills. This benefit, while important, only solves half this problem. As unpaid bills mount, financial stress mounts… Read More »
How Do Hospitals Violate Fair Debt Laws for Injured Workers?
Workers’ compensation benefits cover all reasonably necessary medical bills, and job injury victims aren’t financially responsible for unpaid charges. Nevertheless, hospitals often violate fair debt laws by attempting to collect medical bills from injured workers. These violations often occur due to misunderstandings of workers’ compensation rules, aggressive billing practices, or failure to properly coordinate… Read More »
When Do I Get My First Workers’ Compensation Check?
All job-related illness and injury victims must wait at least seven days before they receive their first payments. If an injury or illness requires them to miss more than twenty-one days of work, and it probably will, victims receive the first seven days of lost wage replacement benefits retroactively. Unfortunately, in most cases, victims… Read More »
