Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Top Five Occupational Diseases
Falls and other trauma injuries account for many workers’ compensation claims in Florida. Occupational diseases, conditions which arise over the course of more than one work shift, make up the rest. These claims are normally complex, mostly because a pre-existing or non-work condition usually contributes to the occupational disease. A Tampa workers’ compensation lawyer… Read More »
Top Three Fair Debt Collection Violations
In recent years, the Supreme Court has repeatedly watered down the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. These rollbacks have empowered debt collectors, including medical providers, to push the envelope and be even more aggressive. That’s especially true of the most common fair debt collection violations, which are discussed below. Despite the Supreme Court’s spate… Read More »
Am I Disabled?
This question is hard to answer. A doctor never tells a patient “You have a disability.” Instead, a doctor tells a patient “You have a serious injury or a serious medical condition.” If that illness or injury prevents a person from working, that person may qualify for disability payments, according to the Social Security… Read More »
Appeals Court to Rule on No-Work Work Jobs
In late 2023, the First District Court of Appeals may decide if light duty reassignments are legitimate ways to help injured workers recover or workers’ compensation avoidance schemes. In 2022, a welder got hurt on the job. His employer transferred him to a light-duty assignment at full pay. The light duty assignment was basically… Read More »
Types of Workers’ Compensation Disability Benefits
Over the last ten years, the average lost wage replacement benefit has decreased 17 percent. Repeated workers’ compensation insurance premium declines are part of the problem. Less money in the system means lower individual benefits. At the same time, the workers’ comp initial denial rate has climbed. Sadly, many of these workers give up… Read More »
Work-Related Mental Health Issues
Frequently, science is ahead of the law. Work-related mental health issues in Florida are a good example. Considerable evidence proves that depression, anxiety, and other issues are physical brain injuries, just like a trauma-induced brain injury. Yet Florida law insists that such issues aren’t physical injuries. Therefore, job injury benefits are only available in… Read More »
What Causes Car Crashes in Tampa?
The short answer is driver error, which causes over 98 percent of the vehicle collisions in Florida. The two kinds of driving errors, which are outlined below, are usually negligence, or a lack of care. Motorists have a legal duty to be in top condition, physically, mentally, and otherwise, before they get behind the… Read More »
What to Expect in the SSD Process
In short, expect a long and often frustrating process when you file a Social Security Disability claim, especially in Florida. The Sunshine State has one of the highest initial denial rates in the country. The long process is especially frustrating because, in most cases, applicants clearly qualify for benefits. They have a listed condition,… Read More »
The Three Faces of Medical Bills in a Job Injury Claim
The average injury-related medical bill in Florida usually exceeds $40,000. The average cost of medical treatment is like the average cost of a motor vehicle. New vehicles vary so much in terms of size, options, and other features that the “average” cost is almost meaningless. A minivan costs a lot more than a motorcycle…. Read More »
Supreme Court Closes Fair Debt Practices Loophole
Affirming a lower court ruling, the Florida Supreme Court agreed that injured workers deserve additional protection from medical creditors. Two providers, Sheridan Radiology Services of Pinellas, Inc., a subsidiary of Sheridan Healthcare, Inc. (Sheridan);and Laboratory Corporation of America and Laboratory Corporation Of America Holdings (Labcorp), treated a woman for work-related injuries. The workers’ compensation… Read More »
