Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Five Quick FAQs About Workers’ Compensation in Florida
“Do I qualify for benefits?” is the most common workers’ compensation FAQ. Yes, you qualify for benefits, if a work-related illness or injury caused economic loss, usually medical bills and/or lost wages. They have specific questions as well, some of which we address in this post. The aforementioned work-related disability could be temporary or… Read More »
Employers Workers’ Compensation Fraud in Florida
Headlines regularly scream about the high rate of workers’ compensation fraud. The headlines don’t say that worker fraud, such as fabricating or exaggerating a claim, makes up less than 2 percent of this eye-popping number. Employer fraud, usually one of the frauds discussed below, makes up the other 98-plus percent. When workers commit fraud,… Read More »
Fatal Hurricane-Related Crash in Tampa
Investigators say a dark traffic light at a Tampa intersection, which was not functioning due to Hurricane Milton, contributed to a fatal intersection collision. When the officers arrived at the intersection of Florida and Palm, they found a 2005 Nissan Sentra had collided with a 2022 Hyundai Tucson, hitting the passenger side of the… Read More »
2025 Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rates to Dip Slightly
Citing higher physician reimbursement rates, the National Council on Compensation Insurance is recommending a 1 percent average premium decrease for workers’ compensation insurance policies in Florida in 2025. Senate Bill 362 created a new workers’ compensation maximum reimbursement plan for physicians for the first time in years, allowing a big jump in pay for… Read More »
How Much Does Workers’ Comp Pay?
Most workers’ compensation insurance policies in Florida pay two-thirds of a job injury victim’s average weekly wage (AWW) for the full length of a temporary or permanent disability. Lost wage replacement may be the most important workers’ comp benefit. Most families live hand to mouth. A few months without a paycheck, or even a… Read More »
Issues in the Workers’ Compensation Settlement Process
Lawyer shows usually feature dramatic and emotional courtroom showdowns. But the legal system in general, and the workers’ compensation system in particular, is built on compromise. Over 95 percent of workers’ compensation claims settle out of court. Usually, liability, or legal responsibility for injury, is not disputed in these cases. Damages, or the amount… Read More »
Top Five Covered Medical Expenses in Workers’ Comp Cases
Since 2000, medical treatment costs have increased over 120 percent. That’s much higher than the overall inflation rate. Most group health insurance policies exclude work injury or disease-related costs, for liability reasons. Since most families live hand to mount, they cannot possibly afford to pay these staggering costs out of pocket. A job-related “injury”… Read More »
Top Five Occupational Diseases in Florida
An occupational disease is any work-related injury that arises over the course of more than one work shift. These disease claims usually involve unique legal issues, as outlined below. Usually, workers’ compensation benefits are available if the disease was job-related and the effects of that disease are partially or totally disabling. The D-word’s definition… Read More »
Job Injuries and LEP Workers
Tampa Bay has one of the largest percentages of Limited English Proficiency individuals in the nation. LEP usually means the person speaks a language other than English at home, and the person’s English skills are self-described as average or below average. For various reasons, the workplace injury rate for LEP workers is almost twice… Read More »
FAQs About Workers’ Compensation
Workers’ compensation law has changed significantly in Florida in recent years. Therefore, many people have many questions about their rights and obligations. The law has changed, but the role of a Tampa workers’ compensation lawyer hasn’t changed. Then as now, a partnership with a lawyer ensures maximum benefits for your job-related injury. These benefits… Read More »
