Florida Injury Attorney Blawg

Most people are surprised to learn that the physicians treating them in a hospital emergency room are often not hospital employees. Instead, they are typically independent contractors. An independent contractor is a person or entity that provides services under the terms of a contract rather than as a regular employee. These individuals work on an as-needed basis, often through their…

Florida’s liability and workers’ compensation systems take a cautious approach when it comes to awarding benefits for mental and emotional injuries. This caution stems from a fundamental public policy concern: without clear limits, allowing recovery for purely emotional harm could lead to a flood of speculative or fabricated claims. As the Florida Supreme Court explained…

In 1958, Florida joined a small number of states in adopting a legal presumption of negligence against trailing drivers involved in rear-end motor vehicle collisions. This shift was established in McNulty v. Cusack, 104 So.2d 785 (Fla. 2d DCA 1958), and later endorsed by the Florida Supreme Court in Bellere v. Madsen, 114 So.2d 619…

One of the central purposes of a strong civil justice system is to promote public safety by holding wrongdoers financially accountable. When negligent individuals or corporations know they may face significant financial liability, they are far more likely to act responsibly. Short of criminal prosecution, few things are more effective at incentivizing safe conduct than…

Since 1990, Florida has enforced a statute commonly referred to as the “Free Kill” law. Codified at Section 768.21(8) of the Florida Wrongful Death Act, this provision creates a glaring exception in an otherwise remedial framework intended to support grieving families. The legislative intent behind the Wrongful Death Act, as stated in Section 768.17, is…

It is common for health and disability (lost wages) insurance carriers to pay benefits to their insureds who are injured due to someone else’s negligence. Many of these policies include reimbursement provisions allowing the insurer to recover payments from any personal injury settlement or judgment obtained by the insured. How Much Must Be Repaid? The…

Any lawsuit arising in Florida from the death of an individual caused by the wrongful act, negligence, or default of another person or entity is governed by the Florida Wrongful Death Act (Sections 768.16–768.26, Florida Statutes). This blog highlights some key legal considerations involved in pursuing a wrongful death claim. Statute of Limitations Under Section…

It is not uncommon for employees to be injured in motor vehicle accidents while acting within the course and scope of their employment. Such incidents frequently implicate multiple layers of insurance coverage. Regardless of fault, injured employees may be eligible for benefits including workers’ compensation, Personal Injury Protection (PIP), and health insurance (including Medicare). Workers’…

The belief that a physician’s written prescription must accompany every petition for benefits requesting medical care has taken on the status of religious doctrine in Florida workers’ compensation practice. This blog aims to challenge and clarify that misconception. A petition for benefits is the workers’ compensation equivalent of a civil complaint. It is the legal…

Despite having many potential sources of payment for medical expenses in ride share-related crashes, Uber riders sometimes end up holding the bag. The most common payment sources are PIP, MedPay, health insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, and bodily injury liability insurance. With a few exceptions, every owner or registrant of a motor vehicle required to be registered…