Ok, it is probably time for a little rant. The Florida legislature is currently debating bills (HB 227 in the House and SB 376 in the Senate) that would provide Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) benefits for any first responders who witness or arrive at the scene of any murder, suicide, fatal injury, child death or…
FL Workers' Comp Judicial Nominating Commission Unanimously Recommends Langham Reappointment
The Workers’ Compensation Judicial Nominating Commission this afternoon voted unanimously to recommend David Langham for reappointment to the position of Deputy Chief Judge of the Florida Office of Judges of Compensation Claims. This is good news that I am sure will be welcomed by many. Judge Langham, who has served in this capacity for 17…
Inspirational Leaders May Negatively Influence Health of Employees: My Guys Should Live Forever
A recent study that looked at the relationship between presenteeism, transformational leadership, and the rate of absence related to sickness, has found that “transformational” leaders who “inspire their employees and team members to perform better at work increase the risk of health complications and absence due to illness.” Well, my guys are safe. In fact, they…
Saving Judge Langham
I’ve never written a post like this, and I am violating a couple personal standards in doing so. I willingly violate them for two reasons; 1) to support a man who has earned my deepest respect, and 2) for the Florida workers’ compensation system that continues to need his service and leadership. It came to…
Privacy, Schmivacy: Amazon is About to Deliver on My Predictions
It’s not like I said, “Alexa, order my prediction,” and it just showed up. After all, it took a far sight longer than the 7 hours it took them to deliver my last acquisition, but it appears online behemoth Amazon is about to deliver on technology that was the subject of my speculation four years…
I Just Want Someone to Tell Me What's Happening
My wife and I spent over eight hours in our local hospital Sunday, seven of them in the emergency room. And while all the doctors, nurses, admissions personnel and transport people were skilled and friendly, the experience still served as a lesson in the frustration that can occur when “the plan” is not clear to…
Don’t Judge Me, Loser
When it comes to special days like birthdays or Valentine’s Day, I am not the best planner in the world. Fortunately, my wife is a very practical person, and that has eased my burden somewhat. For our birthdays it is not unusual for us to elect to buy things for the house, or items we…
If Drunk Driving Were Protected by the ADA
Thank God for some occasional common sense. We don’t see it often anymore, but when it does come through, we should take a moment to appreciate it. That is certainly the case with a Texas appeals court, which last week rejected a man’s claim that alcohol blood level limits for drivers discriminate against alcoholics and…
Montana Supremes Show That with Fraud, as in Floor Buffing, The Devil Is In The Details
A Montana Law Week report detailing a February 6, 2018 decision by the Montana Supreme Court lays out a pretty credible case that those who endeavor to commit fraud should 1) pay attention to the details, and 2) follow through on their financial commitments. The case involved a man who had claimed an injury when…
Save the Date: Next Hot Seat Webinar to Tackle Sexual Harassment
Next week we will be officially announcing our third Hot Seat Webinar, to be conducted March 29, 2018 at 2:00 Eastern. It will discuss the very important topic of sexual harassment, with a look at its impact in workers’ comp; both as employers and service providers. We have assembled a terrific panel for this, and…