If you are scheduled for hearing on May 1, 2017 or later, you will be experiencing a few changes with SSA. Previously SSA had to notify individuals 20 days prior to hearing, but beginning May 1, 2017, SSA will be required to give notice 75 days before the date of the hearing. This will give […]

A Florida state House subcommittee recently voted by a 12-2 margin to get rid of PIP insurance. The bill will still need to be be considered and voted on by the entire Florida legislature before becoming law. Estimates state that would save the average driver $81 in annual insurance premiums, but at what cost to […]

Beginning in November 2016, the Social Security Administration announced the launch of a new Health IT initiative with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that enables Social Security Disability processing sites the ability to receive medical records electronically from all VA facilities. Veterans will receive a faster decisions on their Social Security disability claim, which […]

To say a lot has happened in workers compensation in Florida over the course of 2016 is an understatement. 2016 was the year of Miles, Westhphal, and Castellanos. Some say it the year the playing field was somewhat leveled back out for injured workers. Others say it is the “golden age of comp.” 2016 was […]

As you are all well aware, State Farm’s policies from 2008-2011 did not allow for fee schedule reductions. Since that period of time, State Farm has modified the language in a number of different policies. However, numerous courts have ruled on the language in various versions of State Farm policies 2012 and later. A number […]

In workers compensation, there are two benefits that an injured worker is entitled to: medical treatment and lost wages. When an employee is injured while in the course and scope of employment, the Employer is required to send the injured worker to a medical provider that is covered by their workers compensation insurance. In many […]

Depending on how you answered your post-hire questionnaire… In today’s world, a lot of companies will require new employees to fill out a post-hire medical questionnaire. Typically, this questionnaire will ask general questions about your medical history, prior injuries, whether or not you have ever had a workers’ compensation claim in the past, etc… Your […]

On Saturday, July 16, 2016, Attorney Lyle B. Masnikoff and paralegal Karen Krasnitsky attended a Multiple Sclerosis Support Group Meeting in Wellington, Florida. The president of the group invited Mr. Masnikoff and Ms. Krasnitsky to speak to the group about Social Security Disability. The MS support group consisted of a wide range of individuals who […]

A number of low-budget insurers target segments of South Florida’s population where English is a second language. The scam by insurance companies works as follows: First, the individual goes to an insurance agency to obtain PIP insurance for their automobile. The insured pays their premium and believe they have automobile insurance to cover their medical […]

On Thursday, April 28, 2016, 540 days since oral arguments, the Florida Supreme Court handed down its landmark decision in Castellanos v. Next Door Company. Essentially, this allows Claimant’s attorney’s to collect a “reasonable” fee from the Employer/Carrier when successfully securing benefits. Previously, a Claimant’s attorney fee was based on a percentage of the value of the benefits secured. For example, […]