Bills in both the State House and Senate would allow Florida workers, especially first responders, suffering from job-related Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder to file workers’ compensation claims. Dr. Deborah Beidel, a psychology professor at the University of Central Florida, says that many first responders are exposed to conditions and events like those commonly experienced in war zones, such as the Pulse …

Fighters from Malhama Tactical, a small organization of private military contractors who are the latest self-proclaimed protectors of oppressed Sunni minorities all over the globe, are the newest such warriors to arrive in Syria. Little is known about their leader, Abu Rofiq, a pseudonym that means “father of Rofiq.” He is apparently a 24-year-old jihadist from Uzbekistan, and many of …

Most states other than Florida have workers’ compensation programs that include Post Traumatic Stress Disorder coverage for first responders, and Senator Keith Perry (R-Gainesville) wants the Sunshine State to join the crowd. In the wake of the Pulse Nightclub shooting, many first responders were diagnosed with PTSD because of the horrific scene at the nightclub. Because the current system does …

48-year-old Orquidea Quezada of Orlando will spend the next 18 months in federal prison after she pleaded guilty to a sprawling workers’ compensation fraud scheme that involved an elaborate employee renting arrangement. U.S. District Judge Henry Lee Adams, Jr. also entered a $585,000 money judgement against Ms. Quezada. According to investigators, Orquicely Construction, LLC fabricated payroll records to obtain various …

Even as the active American military presence in the Persian Gulf region seems to be winding down, DynCorp International received a major War Reserve Materiel (WRM) contract worth over $26 million. Most of the work will be performed in Kuwait, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar. DynCorp has been doing WRM work since 2000, and the company outbid five …

Members of the House Insurance and Banking Subcommittee listened to a number of witnesses testify regarding the cost/benefit balance in the current workers’ compensation scheme. Committee Chairman Danny Burgess (R-Dade City) noted that, according to a recent survey, 66% of stakeholders felt that the current system does not strike the proper balance between employer and worker interests. “The purpose of …

In addition to a drug formulary that would theoretically control costs, a legislative panel recommended that the Florida workers’ compensation system adopts new medical treatment and authorization guidelines. A special three-member panel (which actually only has two members at present) of the Insurance Commission mulled a number of changes to the system during a recent meeting. The body’s chief responsibility …

Religious leader Muqtada al-Sadr, who also has ties to the anti-American Mahdi Army militia, recently said that moving the American embassy in Israel from Tel-Aviv to Jerusalem would be tantamount to a “declaration of war against Islam” that might lead to another jihad (holy war) against the United States. His statement prompted immediate concerns for the safety of the sprawling …

Despite talk of a military buildup, the Trump administration may severely limit funds available for private military contractors. That is according to the most recent Vision Federal Market Forecast, which is based on interviews with government officials, financial analysts, and policy experts. Since much of the work was done prior to the November election, the results are not necessarily specific …

Barry Lerner spoke at the Annual Longshore Conference in New Orleans this week. He is specifically speaking on “Significant Judicial Decisions Impacting Claims Under the Act.”  That is the US Longshore and Harborworkers’ Compensation Act and by extension  the Defense Base Act. If you would like to know more about the act please download the full document here.