For those around the country who don’t know, Florida has just lost it’s 3rd or 4th commissioner of education in less than 3 years under Governor Rick Scott. The latest to resign held the same position in Indiana and was recruited by Scott for his right-wing bona fides, in particular,…
In our experience of representing individuals with practically every type of injury, we have learned that few injuries are more common — second to back pain — painful, and debilitating than rotator cuff tears. The rotator cuff is made up of 4 tendons that cover the top of the humerus.…
In every serious personal injury case in Florida, the issue of who will pay the medical providers and how much always arises. Needless to say, providers want to recover as much as they can. Patients, of course, want to pay as little as possible out-of-pocket. How this plays out often…
Our previous blog addressed the procedure for satisfying Medicaid’s lien from money received in Florida personal injury cases from liable third parties.The present blog will focus on satisfying Medicare’s lien from third party proceeds. The leading case on the issue is Hadden v. United States, 661 F.3d 298 (6th Cir.…
Not infrequently, Medicaid will step up and cover the medical expenses of persons severely injured in accidents before other sources do so. This is commendable. However, where the Medicaid recipient is subsequently compensated by a third party for damages sustained in the accident, Florida Statute 409.910 says that Medicaid must…
The elements of defamation are that the Defendant published a false statement, that the statement was communicated to a third party, and that the Plaintiff suffered damages as a result of the publication. Axelrod v. Califano, 357 So.2d 1048 (Fla. 1st DCA 1978). In some instances, a qualified privilege exists…
Federal law, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII) — see 42 U.S.C. Section 2000e et seq.; 42 U.S.C. Section 2000e-2 — expressly forbids sex discrimination on the basis of pregnancy. Florida’s discrimination statute, the Florida Civil Rights Act of 1992, does not. See Fla. Stat.…
There are numerous procedural, substantive, and even attitudinal differences in the way civil cases are handled between State and Federal Courts. The differences can determine the outcome of a case. In many instances, the line is sharp over which court system has jurisdiction, leaving little to no choice over which…
PIP (Personal Injury Protection) and health insurance will cover most motor vehicle-related medical expenses. However, these insurance policies are subject to deductibles and copays, leaving insureds with out-of-pocket medical expenses even under the best circumstances. An exception applies when the insured is a victim of a DUI crash. The exception…
Obviously, medical records are important for many reasons. They do not come without a price. Florida Statute Section 456.057 is titled “Ownership and Control of Patient Records; Report or Copies of Records to be Furnished,” and it defines the owner of medical records as the health care practitioner who generates…