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Many first responders are afflicted with heart disease, hypertension, hepatitis, chronic back injuries, hearings loss, and more.
These conditions can be work- related, as a matter of law, regardless of the actual cause of the condition or whether it occurred on or off duty. Although these conditions may be work-related legally, employers and insurance carriers often wrongfully deny claims. This is where we can step in. For first responders, a work injury involves much more than a simple workers’ compensation claim. There are employment, pension and Social Security issues that overlap and affect each other. Our years of experience enable us to work to ensure that every client receives the maximum benefits he or she is entitled to. We handle cases related to the following.
Workers’ Compensation
Workers' compensation is a form of insurance providing wage replacement and medical benefits to employees injured in the course of employment in exchange for mandatory relinquishment of the employee's right to sue his or her employer for the tort of negligence.
Appeals
In law, an appeal is a process for requesting a formal change to an official decision. Appeals function both as a process for error correction as well as a process of clarifying and interpreting law..
Disability Pension
A disability pension is a form of pension given to those people who are permanently or temporarily unable to work due to a disability. It is distinct from welfare.
Social Security Disability
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSD or SSDI) is a payroll tax-funded, federal insurance program of the United States government. It is managed by the Social Security Administration and is designed to provide income supplements to people who are physically restricted in their ability to be employed because of a notable disability, usually a physical disability.
Personal Injury
Personal injury is a legal term for an injury to the body, mind or emotions, as opposed to an injury to property. Depending upon the intent or negligence of a responsible party, the injured party may be entitled to monetary compensation from that party through a settlement or a judgment.
Florida Retirement System (FRS) Benefits
The FRS Pension Plan is a defined benefit plan, in which you are promised a benefit at retirement if you meet certain criteria. The amount of your future benefit is determined by a formula, based on your earnings, length of service, and membership class, and is adjusted by a 3% cost-of-living each July (adjustment only applicable for FRS service earned prior to July 1, 2011). Your benefit is pre-funded by contributions paid by your employer.
Workers’ Compensation Mediations
Mediation is a process in which a neutral third party (mediator) helps the parties communicate with one another in an attempt to reach an agreement that is acceptable to everyone. Mediation is a forward-looking process in that it encourages the participants to focus on their current and future needs and interests rather than focusing on fault and blame for past actions. Mediation differs from a court proceeding in that the parties maintain control of their dispute. The decision-making power in mediation lies with the parties, not with the mediator.