JD Journal » workers compensation

Ruling on Lawyer Fees Causes Debate In Florida

Erik Even — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 21:47:51 +0000

A ruling from Florida’s Supreme Court regarding the rates lawyers can charge on workers comp cases will pit attorney’s and workers’ rights advocates against business and insurers.

The ruling, handed down last October, states that a lawyer representing an injured employee has a right to earn a “reasonable” rate for his work. Insurers and businesses say that undoes a law enacted six years ago that capped lawyer fees with the intention of keeping insurance rates down. Since 2003, rates have come down more than 60 percent.

The case itself revolved around the Brian Sutter, a lawyer who was paid $8 an hour for 80 hours of work on the case of an injured nurse under the 2003 law.

Several bills have bounced around the state legislature trying to resolve the issue. A bill introduced by Rep. Anitere Flores, R-Miami-Dade, would strike the word ”reasonable” from the law while retaining the same fee schedule for attorneys. A companion bill has been filed by Sen. Garrett S. Richter, a Republican from Naples who chairs the Senate Banking and Insurance committee.
Sen. Dan Gelber, D-Miami, has introduced another workers comp bill that would allow injured employers to chose their own attorney and fees wouldn’t be limited. That would reverse the current law.
Paul Anderson, an executive officer with the Florida Justice Association, had been negotiating with Tamela Perdue, chairwoman of the Workers’ Compensation Coalition for Business & Industry. The groups were trying to reach a compromise that could be used to draft a bill that could win speedy approval. Anderson said talks broke off last week.

Gibson & Behman Opens St. Croix Office

Erik Even — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 19:24:24 +0000

Gibson & Behman has announced its new office on St. Croix in the US Virgin Islands.

Brian Dougan, a director with Gibson & Behman and head of the firm’s Rhode Island office, will oversee the new St. Croix location, working with a team of attorneys and administrative support staff.

The St. Croix office will replace the firm’s St. John location, and will allow better access to district courts in both St. Croix and St. Thomas.

The St. Croix practice will focus on civil litigation, personal injury, product liability and workers compensation for businesses and insurance companies throughout St. Croix and St. Thomas.

Founded in 1987, Gibson & Behman has offices throughout the northeast, in Florida and California.

Maryland Law Firms Merge

Erik Even — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 21:30:26 +0000

Maryland law firms Berman, Sobin & Gross and Albertini and Darby have merged, to create Berman, Sobin, Gross, Feldman & Darby.

The new firm will retain primary offices in Baltimore and Gaithersburg, but also has offices in Cockeysville, Columbia, Cumberland, Largo, Linthicum and Suitland, as well as Arlington, Virginia, and Washington, DC.

The firm covers worker’s compensation, Social Security disability, personal injury, medical malpractice, product liability, railroad accidents, maritime accidents, small business, estate planning, probate, elder law, domestic and general practice.

The firm has six partners: Clifford Sobin, Alan B. Gross, Kenneth Berman, David Galinis, Michael Feldman and P. Matthew Darby. It also employs 10 associates, two of counsel, and a support staff of 30.

Former partner Guy Albertini will remain in an of counsel capacity.

Lakin Law Firm Renamed In Wake of Drug Scandal

Erik Even — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 19:52:35 +0000

The Lakin Law Firm has been renamed LakinChapman LLC, and former Appellate Court Judge Charles Chapman will join Brad Lakin as a named minority partner in the Wood River, Illinois firm.

Chapman, 66, was a Madison County circuit judge from 1979 to 1988, when he has elected to the 5th District Appellate Court in Mount Vernon.

Following his retirement from the bench in 2001, Chapman has been engaged in a trial practice as an attorney associated with the Lakin Law Firm.

The firm will be divided into seven practice areas: maritime law, railroad law, class action, nursing home abuse, workers compensation, personal injury and appellate law.

In October, Tom Lakin, founder of the Lakin Law Firm, was sentenced to six years in prison for drug charges. Lakin pleaded guilty to drug charges of possession with the intent to deliver cocaine, distributing cocaine to a person under 21 and maintaining a drug house.