Do Claimants need IME’s anymore?

Last week I wrote about the Parodi decision which reinforces the self help section of chapter 440.  [see s. 440.13(2)(c)]   The main thrust of my post was that the stakes are now considerably raised with such a decision.

In that case the First DCA found that should Claimant receive unauthorized treatment on his own, and prove that the treatment was compensable and medically necessary, then the doctors providing said treatment could testify in Claimant’s case in chief. 

After talking with a mediator about the Parodi case, he declared that Claimant’s no longer need to use their IME anymore.  They can just go and find a doctor to provide treatment under a letter of protection (LOP).  While I see his point, I don’t think the situation is as dire as that for Employers and Carriers.

 

I am moving to a new firm! (But, the blog won’t change.)

This has been in the works for quite a few months, but it finally became official yesterday.   The entire insurance defense practice of Fowler White Boggs Banker split off to form an entirely new law firm.  This includes the Workers’ Compensation practice, of which I am proud to be part of.  

The new law firm is named Banker Lopez Gassler, P.A.  The split is completely cordial and my new firm is subleasing the same space from Fowler White.  I am literally not moving desks (not having to move is so nice!).   You can read about the split in the St. Pete Times. 

So, my contact information is changed and will be reflected in the “About” section of this blog.  But, you can now reach me at mrabinowitz@bankerlopez.com.  My phone number remains exactly the same. 

The bottomline the desk remains the same, the phone remains the same, and this blog will remain the same; providing you with the latest updates in Florida Workers’ Comp law and, of course, my insightful analysis. 

 

Workers’ Comp Corner selected as one of LexisNexis Top 25 Blogs for Workers’ Compensation

This is a great honor by LexisNexis, a premier research site, to have honored my little blog.  It has been my mission to break down some of the most recent legal changes to the Florida Workers Comp system into digestible articles that you can all absorb.  I thank you for your continued support and I hope to keep up the quality content that many of you have come to expect.

Feel free to click on the link below to check out the other 24 national W/C blogs:

 

Welcome to the Workers’ Comp Corner!

My intention is for all those influenced by the Florida Workers’ Compensation “biosphere” to use this site for their WC inquiries.  In the coming weeks I will be posting case law updates and my own personal experiences in dealing with the always confound chapter 440 of the Florida Statutes. 

Feel free to email me any questions you have and I will do my best to answer them.   Thank you for your attention.