| Areas of Practice |
Our four primary areas of practice are: personal injury, workers' compensation, social security disability and long and short term disability insurance . Below is a brief explanation of the types of cases that can arise in these areas. PERSONAL INJURY These cases arise when a person or persons are injured as the result of someone else's negligent act or omission. The most typical personal injury case arises as a result of an automobile accident in which someone else was at fault, but there are many other types of personal injury claims. Wrongful death, slip and falls, dog bites, defective products, all may involve injuries as a result of another's actions. For automobile accidents, Florida law determines which automobile insurance company pays lost wages and medical bills (Personal Injury Protection; PIP), property damage to the vehicle (Collision), damage to property, and damage for bodily injury (Liability). If the negligent driver or owner has no liability coverage, or insufficient coverage, you may have coverage under your own policy (Underinsured/Uninsured, UM). The amount of coverage available insurance may depend on the number of vehicles insured on your policy of insurance (stacking). There are many things that need to be done early in a case to protect your rights as well as the evidence. Consult with an attorney as soon as possible following an injury, and be aware all attorneys work on a contingency basis. There is no legal fee unless we make a financial recovery in your case. click here for frequently asked questions WORKERS' COMPENSATION Any injury which occurs during the course of your employment is a workers' compensation claim. If your injury is covered by workers' compensation insurance, negligence is not an issue. Workers' compensation pays your medical care and lost wages regardless of fault. Usually, the injured worker may not sue his employer directly for any negligent acts on their part. There are strict time requirements for filing a claim. If you have a workers' compensation injury, and you are not satisfied with your medical treatment, or believe your wages are not being paid correctly, call and talk with one of our attorneys. The consultation is free, and workers' compensation cases, like personal injury cases are handled on a contingency basis; you don't owe a legal fee unless we make a recovery in your case. In addition, legal fees in workers' compensation cases are often paid by the workers' compensation carrier. click here for frequently asked questions SOCIAL SECURITY Any time you become injured or disabled and are unable to work, it is appropriate to file a claim for Social Security. A claim for Social Security is a separate claim for disability and medical benefits payable through the Federal Government, and can therefore be filed alone or in conjunction with a personal injury or a workers' compensation case. To receive Social Security Disability benefits you must currently be insured for those benefits through your earning record or that of another person, and you must have a disability which has lasted, or is expected to last at least a year. That disability must prevent you from doing not only the work you have done in the past, but any other type of work you are deemed capable of performing. Once a claim for benefits has been filed, there is a two-step process to get to a hearing before a Judge. Strict time requirements must be met to get to the hearing level. When you call our office we will ask you very specific questions about your case and advise you how to proceed. If we believe you are at a point where you need representation, we will schedule an appointment for you to come in and speak with a lawyer. If you believe you have a case, you may want to call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 for the location of your closest office, in order to get your application filed right away.
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