As of last month, we have two new Jacksonville Judge’s of Compensation Claims, The Honorable Ralph Humphries and The Honoroble Ray Holley. Harris, Guidi attorneys Michael Rudolph and Jon Israel have many years of working with both of these new Judges and look forward to working with them in their new roles. Both should be excellent Judges.
The 1st District Court of Appeal, in Jacksonville, today reversed a workers compensation Judge’s denial of our clients claim for permanent total disability. The Judge based his denial on our client’s failure to perform a job search, which I argued was not required by law. The 1st DCA agreed with me and reversed the Judge’s denial and remanded it back to workers’ comp court for a ruling consistent with the law.
Jacksonville Attorneys, Michael Rudolph and Jonathan Israel both attended the 65th Annual Workers’ Compensation Convention in Orlando, Florida. Both Jon and Michael were featured speakers, Jon in the Longshore breakout and Michael in the Hot Topics attorney breakout for workers’ compensation. Michael also attended as an Executive Council Member the Judicial Luncheon, Executive Council meetings and was re-elected for the 2011-2014 term. Now Michael will turn his attention to speaking for the National Business Institute on November 12, 2010 on the topic “Handling A Social Secuity Disability Case”.
Today I had a workers’ comp trial and have already had 4 Social Secuity Hearings this week. In talking to the workers comp Judge, he stated “No one in Jacksonville tries more cases that you and Jon (Israel)”. When lookng for an attorney it is so important to select one you know can and will take your case to trial, and I assure you, the insurance companies are well aware of which attorneys try cases, and that works to your advantage!
In August, Jacksonville Attorneys Michael Rudolph and Jonathan Israel will be speakers at the Annual Workers Compensation Convention in Orlando, FL. Michael will be speaking for his 3rd year in a row on pressing issues in the workers’ comp. field and Jonathan will be speaking on Longshore issues. The Convention is attended by over 3,000 people. Michael will also be presenting a seminar on Social Security in the fall.
Another example of how insurance companies will tell you things that are just not true. I recently took a Jacksonville case to trial involving our client who suffered the loss of her leg in 1990 while working. The case remained open and recently she suffered a fall when her prosthetic caught on a gate, causing severe injuries to her knee which required multiple surgeries. When she called the workers comp adjuster she was told she was “clumsy” and it was her own fault and thus, her own responsibility. Not true! Because the prosthetic contributed to the fall, the subsequent injuries should have been the responsibility of the workers’ comp. insurance company. The case went to trial and the Judge agreed with our position. So, don’t just take what the insurance carrier tells you as true, call us for the facts!
Many Jacksonville attorney’s hate to take cases to trial. Having an attorney well versed in trial procedure is crucial to your case, as an insurance company will pay you more to settle your case if they know your attorney is willing and able to take the case to trial. Myself and Jonathan Israel take many cases to trial, probably more that any other firm in Jacksonville. Call us to hear more about our practice philosophy and trial work.
From the first trip to the doctor’s office, you are entitled to reimbursement of your round trip mileage. You are paid for trips to the doctor, pharmacy, physical therapy, trips to get MRIs and other diagnostic testing. Keep track of your mileage by noting the date, description of the trip (i.e. “physical therapy”, “pharmacy”, “Dr. Smith’s office”) and the round trip miles. Submit this to your insurance adjuster when you are ready, or, if you have an attorney, let them submit it for you. Call us to learn about all the benefits you are entitled to that your adjuster hasn’t told you about!