Florida Injury Attorneys Blog

Published on: September 30, 2020

HEART ATTACKS AND CARDIOVASCULAR CLAIMS UNDER THE DEFENSE BASE ACT

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Our firm has seen a recent rise in the number of heart attack and other cardiovascular claims in the Defense Base Act whether it be a stroke, an aortic dissection (which is deadly), and heart attacks. These claims are very often denied by the insurance company, whether it be Starr or Gallagher Bassett, which seem to be handling many of the Defense Base Act claims in 2020. Our firm has handled numerous heart attack, stroke and aortic dissection claims from all over the world including South Korea, Iraq and Afghanistan. With respect to heart attack and cardiovascular injuries, these claims largely depend on good medical documentation from your doctors, so it is important to make sure you select a good doctor who will fight for you ( do not ever let the insurance company pick a doctor for you or even recommend a doctor to you).

Fortunately for the injured civilian contractor, the Defense Base Act provides numerous benefits and presumptions to help beat the insurance companies’ wrongful denial of benefits. All that we must show at the start of a claim is that the injured worker (1) sustained a harm and (2) that conditions existed or an incident occurred at work that could have caused the harm. Bath Iron Works Corp. v. Preston, 380 F.3d 597 (1st Cir. 2004). This is known as the section 20(a) presumption. Once an injured worker successfully raises the section 20(a) presumption, the burden shifts to the employer, who may rebut the presumption by producing substantial evidence that the injured workers condition was neither caused nor aggravated by his employment. It is at this point that the insurance company will send you to their doctor (who is usually “in their pocket”) to try and derail your claim.

For purposes of heart attack claims under the Defense Base Act, it does not matter that you had pre-existing conditions, such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol. “An employer is liable for employment conditions that cause an injury or aggravate or accelerate a pre-existing condition under the aggravation rule, which dictates that “the employer takes the employee as he finds him.” Hawaii Stevedores, Inc., 608 F.3d at 650.

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Published on: September 29, 2020

FLORIDA FRONTLINE WORKERS ARE COVERED FOR COVID

By Jo Ann Hoffman & Associates, P.A.

As we attempt to navigate through unchartered waters, the concern for most workers who return to work – whether you are a frontline worker or in the private sector and have no alternative but to work – is whether or not you will be covered under Florida Workers’ Compensation Laws if you contract Coronavirus (COVID-19). The good news is you are covered if you are a Florida frontline employee.

Are private sector workers covered for covid? It is not easy as the private worker must prove that Covid or Coronavirus which is considered an occupational disease, was contracted due to a unique risk or exposure pic-200x300 hazard at work; was contracted during employment; and that the nature of employment was the major contributing cause of the disease. Florida law 440.151. This burden is not an easy burden to satisfy, especially for private sector worker which includes, but not limited to, grocery employees, office employees, laborers, support staff workers, restaurant employees, etc. However, as of late, the burden for state frontline workers is no longer as stringent.

In April 2020, Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis directed the Division of Risk Management to provide workers’ compensation coverage to state frontline employees. The directive/special rules, found in the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Directive 2020-05, apply only to state frontline employees and not to the private sector workers. Directive 2020-05 states that Florida is going to honor workers’ compensation claims for state frontline employees. Covered employees include state employees who work directly with the public such as police officers, healthcare workers, family protective services investigators and emergency responders. The rules dictate that the burden is on the state to prove that the source of the Coronavirus is a source other than the employee’s work. In summation, it is more likely than not that state frontline employees who contract Covid- 19 a/k/a Coronavirus can expect to receive workers’ compensation benefits without much of a fight. Continue reading →

Published on: July 29, 2020

What you Need to Know for your Psychological/Psychiatric IME

By Jo Ann Hoffman & Associates, P.A.

After your attorney files your psychological claim for the injury you sustained during your employment as a DBA security guard, what happens next? The defense attorney will schedule you to be examined by a psychologist or psychiatrist of their choosing. You’re probably wondering what to expect during the examination and what’s the purpose? This is the insurance company’s opportunity to have you examined by a doctor that they have hand-selected to determine the extent of your psychological injuries. This doctor is going to evaluate you and then write a report summarizing the results of the examination. Obviously, this report will have an impact on your case because a Judge will consider their IME doctor’s opinion when making a ruling on your case at trial. There are a few things to aware of in order to be prepared for your examination, but first understand this important nugget of information:

An administrative law judge (“ALJ”) has “the discretion to evaluate the credibility of a claimant and to arrive at an independent judgment, in light of medical findings and other evidence.” Pietrunti v. Dir OWCP, 119 F.3d 1035 (2d Cir. 1997). Additionally, person-in-black-pants-and-black-shoes-sitting-on-brown-4101143-2-300x200 an ALJ is not bound to believe or disbelieve the entirety of a witness’s testimony but may choose to believe only certain portions of the testimony. Mijangos v. Avondale Shipyards, Inc., 948 F.2d 941 (5th Cir. 1991).

There are several items that can impact a Claimant’s credibility and so the injured worker must remember:

Testimony at trial or in deposition MUST BE consistent with past testimony or statements;
Claimant must have actually seen or heard the events about which the Claimant has testified (corroborating evidence helps);
Recalling events accurately (verify your dates before you speak);
Description of events seems likely; and
Don’t go into great detail about unrelated psychological issues such as “people say craziness runs in my family.”

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Published on: July 2, 2020

Psychological Injuries under the Defense Base Act

By Jo Ann Hoffman & Associates, P.A.

Attorneys Jo Ann Hoffman & Associates is often tasked with helping individuals involved in terrorist or other violent attacks in places like Afghanistan or Iraq under the Defense Base Act. Indeed, our firm represented numerous contractors injured in the Al-Asad airbase attack by Iran in January 2020 as retaliation for the killing of Soleimani. The insurance carriers are accepting the vast majority of these Al-Asad airbase attack claims due to the wide media coverage.

From experiencing car bombings (VBIED’s) to being a victim of mortar and rocket attacks, these traumatic experiences can cause serious negative effects throughout the rest of the victim’s life. It is important for your Defense Base Act claim to properly label your injuries so that you are not limited later on the case.

What is a Psychological Injury?

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Published on: April 30, 2020

Working as a Defense Contractor Overseas During the COVID-19 Pandemic

By Jo Ann Hoffman & Associates, P.A.

Getting COVID-19 (Coronavirus) While Working Overseas

Civilian contractors working overseas face exposure to Covid-19 and may not be able to obtain adequate medical care. The Defense Department is taking preventive measures to protect US military personnel and civilian contractors. The Defense Department has ordered everyone on DOD property to wear face masks. This includes civilian contractors.

Even if you use a mask, you may be asking yourself:

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Published on: April 5, 2020

8 TIPS TO HELP YOUR DEFENSE BASE ACT CLAIM TO BE ACCEPTED

By Jo Ann Hoffman & Associates, P.A.

One of the hardest and most difficult times in your work life may be when you are injured overseas. You may not know what to do, how to do it, and who to call. This firm has handled thousands of Defense Base Act cases, from initial client intake, to trial before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), so these are our tips to make your case successful. The days following your initial injury are the most important in how the rest of your claim goes so take the following actions:

Report your accident and injuries immediately to your supervisor. Your report should be in writing and should detail ALL body parts injured in the accident. Send an email with a bcc to yourself.
If allowed by company policy, take photos of the area where you were injured, and make certain you take photos of physical injuries if the injury is one that caused bleeding to your body, visible damage to your body or clothing.
Every employer we have dealt with provides medical treatment in each country, be it in Afghanistan, Iraq, or elsewhere. Make sure you are seen by a base medic and ask for a copy of your medical records which you should keep or photo. If you are not being medically evacuated, and you decide to wait until your next R&R date to treat at home, make sure you see the medic every few days, or as often as needed, and obtain the medical reports. These medical reports will be difficult if not impossible for us to obtain once you leave and return home. The Employers and insurance companies may lose or not be able to find these medical records, which makes proving the seriousness of the injury more difficult if you are not given your medical records.
Related to #3, if possible, do not wait to come home until R&R if your injury is disabling. If you find it difficult to do your job, you should ask to be sent home prior to R&R.
Do not “resign” from your employment– do not sign any forms indicating that you are quitting, resigning or otherwise terminating your employment with your employer. Your employer should send you home on an MLOA– medical leave of absence.
List every injury in your report of injury to your employer. Leaving out an injury in your initial report may cause the insurance company to deny your claim for that part of your body. If you fail to report what is called an “unscheduled” injury, for instance, a psychological injury but you report your knee injury, your case will be negatively impacted. Unscheduled body parts give you special rights to continued compensation payments, which enhance your claim. Unscheduled body parts include the head, neck, low back, middle back, shoulders, and mental injuries.
Contact a qualified attorney as soon as you can. The days following your accident are vital to quickly and efficiently opening your claim.
You are entitled to your own choice of physician under the Defense Base Act. Do not let the insurance carrier pick a doctor for you or suggest a doctor to you.

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Published on: March 25, 2020

Información para Nuestros Clientes Sobre COVID-19

By Jo Ann Hoffman & Associates, P.A.

Estimados Clientes:

Al igual que usted, hemos estado monitoreando diariamente la situación de pandemia de COVID-19 que cambia rápidamente. La salud y la seguridad de nuestro equipo, clientes, familias y amigos es la principal preocupación de nuestro Bufet. Es por eso que nuestro equipo de profesionales está trabajando de forma remota y en casa. Programaremos declaraciones juradas y otras reuniones a través de Zoom, Skype o cualquier otra aplicación de videoconferencia, o por teléfono. La comunicación regular continuará por teléfono, correo electrónico y mensaje de texto. Para su conveniencia, si desea hablar con alguien sobre su caso, envíe un correo electrónico al abogado o abogada encargado de su caso y lo llamaremos lo antes posible. Probablemente haya notado que seguimos respondiendo a los correos electrónicos.

Hemos preparado e implementado un plan de trabajo remoto para todos nuestros empleados. Nuestro plan de trabajo remoto mantiene plenamente nuestras sólidas políticas de privacidad y ciberseguridad. Estamos seguros de que cuando envíe un correo electrónico, llame o envíe un mensaje de texto, no notará ninguna interrupción en nuestro nivel de servicio habitual. Permanecemos abiertos para atender a cada cliente, a pesar de que nuestra puerta principal está temporalmente cerrada.

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Published on: March 25, 2020

Information for Our Clients as to COVID-19

By Jo Ann Hoffman & Associates, P.A.

Like you, we have been monitoring the rapidly changing COVID-19 pandemic situation on a daily basis. The health and safety of our team, clients, families, and friends is our firm’s primary concern. That is why our team of professionals is working remotely. We will schedule depositions and other meetings via Zoom, Facetime, Whats App, Skype, any other Video-Conferencing App, or by phone. Regular communication will continue via phone, email, and text.  

For your convenience, should you wish to speak to someone regarding your case, please send an email to the handling attorney and we will contact you as soon as possible. You have probably noted, we continue to respond to emails.

We have prepared for and implemented a remote work plan for all of our employees. Our remote work plan fully maintains our robust privacy and cybersecurity policies. We are confident that when you email, call or text message you will notice no disruption to our usual service level. We remain open to serve every client, even if our front door is temporarily closed.

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