Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Social Security Offices Reopened
After protracted negotiations caused a considerable delay, 1,200 offices of the Social Security Administration throughout the country reopened at the end of March 2022. In March 2020, the agency closed most field offices, citing the need to protect employees, as well as disability applicants with pre-existing conditions, from COVID-19. Once offices reopen, both vaccinated… Read More »
What Are The Covered Expenses Under Workers’ Compensation Programs?
Medical bills are the primary covered expenses under Florida’s workers’ compensation program. These bills are usually very high. The average injury-related medical bill is over $55,0000. The medical bills related to chronic illnesses, such as cancer, could be many times higher. Group health plans usually do not cover injury-related costs. Typically, if there’s any… Read More »
How Does The Commission Prove Workers’ Compensation Employee Fraud?
Almost all workers’ compensation claims in Florida are valid from head to toe. The job injury fraud rate is only about 1 or 2 percent. However, insurance industry groups, like the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud, claim the workers’ compensation fraud rate is between 15 and 20 percent. As a result, insurance companies aggressively investigate… Read More »
Common Swimming Pool Injuries In Florida
The Sunshine State is ground zero for fatal swimming pool drownings. More of these incidents occur in Florida than any other state. Nonfatal drownings are a serious problem as well. The swimming pool accident serious injury rate is five times higher than the serious injury rate for dog bites, falls, car crashes, and other… Read More »
The Fatal Four Construction Site Injuries
For many years, construction has ranked as one of the most dangerous jobs in America. About two-thirds of the fatal construction accidents in Tampa are in one of the four categories discussed below. One of the real tragedies of these accidents is that they are relatively easy for employers to prevent. For example, perimeter… Read More »
What To Expect In A Florida Workers’ Compensation Claim
Job injuries are on the rise. In 2019, almost three million workers were rushed to hospital emergency rooms after a serious on-the-job injury. Millions of other victims miss work, and incur large medical bills, because of repetitive stress injuries and other occupational diseases. Most families have a hard time making ends meet. Every hour… Read More »
What Is The Florida Workers’ Compensation Claims Process?
If it is your first time filing a workers’ compensation claim in Florida, you may wonder what to expect throughout the process. Today, we have prepared a guide to help you understand how the workers’ compensation claims process will unfold after a work-related injury. If you have been injured at work or developed a… Read More »
4 Reasons Your Employer May Refuse To Send You To A Doctor After A Workplace Accident
In Florida, work-related injuries and illnesses are covered by workers’ compensation insurance. It means that if you get injured in a workplace accident, you can seek compensation through your employer’s workers’ comp insurance. Going to a doctor is one of the first things that an employee should do after suffering an on-the-job injury. However,… Read More »
Lost Wage Replacement In A Workers’ Compensation Claim
This benefit is arguably the most important financial benefit in a workers’ compensation claim. Under Florida law, it’s based on the victim’s average weekly wage. The dictionary AWW definition is a bit misleading. It implies that this calculation only considers prior wages. That’s true in a few cases, but not very often. For example,… Read More »
Employer Fraud In Workers’ Compensation Matters
Tales of rampant worker fraud in workers’ compensation matters are largely exaggerated. Statistically, less than 2 percent of worker claims are fraudulent. Employer fraud, on the other hand, is a much more pervasive problem. As far as many business owners are concerned, workers’ compensation is an unnecessary cost. In order to maximize their profits,… Read More »
