Welcome to the Workers' Compensation Section Home Page.
Your Executive Council has created this site in an effort to encourage and facilitate communication and exchange of ideas among the members of our Section. Enjoy! The purpose of the Workers' Compensation Section is to provide an organization within The Florida Bar open to all members in good standing who have a common interest in workers' compensation law. The Section provides a forum for discussion and exchange of ideas leading to the improvement of individual trial abilities in workers' compensation cases.
Send mail with questions or comments about this web site to:
Richard J Manno, Esq. 1099 W. Morse Blvd. Winter Park, FL., 32789 (321) 214-1249 Rmanno@winterparklaw.com
Please use the social media links below to stay well informed about the section's events and information regarding the practice of workers’ compensation within the state.
Legal Fuel (Please identify yourself as a section member)
NEW COURT RULE AMENDMENTS AND THEIR IMPACT ON WORKERS’ COMPENSATION APPEALS
By: Todd J. Sanders, Esq.
The arrival of the New Year just celebrated brought a number of changes to the rules of judicial administration and appellate procedure that significantly impact appellate practice, with some of particular interest to workers’ compensation practitioners who find themselves in the appellate arena. The amendments (effective at 12:01 a.m. January 1, 2019) that will have the most immediate effect concern the timing of events in the appellate process, and this article will address those changes as well as other noteworthy amendments. The article is not meant to be an exhaustive review of all amendments to the rules; rather, it is limited to those substantive amendments that are likely to affect lawyers tasked with pursuing a workers’ compensation appeal.
Whether you are a recent graduate or a seasoned professional, The Trial Advocacy Workshop will change the way you approach trials, improving your performance exponentially. The trial, conducted by participants, will include issues involving the “fraud defense,” the applicability of the Daubert Standard, the applicability of major contributing cause and the use or exclusion of various forms of evidence.
This is a hands-on-program limited to 24 attorney participants. The focus of the program includes application of the Rules of Evidence, direct and cross examination of expert and lay witnesses and trial strategy. This program is not offered every year and the slots fill up quickly!! Please see link below to register.
April 11-12, 2019 Omni Orlando Resort @ChampionsGate
The Workers’ Compensation Section of the Florida Bar and the Association of Workers’ Compensation Claims Professionals (WCCP) present two days of advanced curriculum, from the latest in case law decisions to litigation strategies and complex medical issues affecting our industry.
Our program is delivered across two educational tracks centered around the Florida Bar’s traditional Certification Review Course and attended by members of the Florida Bar, board certified workers’ compensation adjusters seeking to earn or maintain their advanced board certification, and other members of Florida’s workers’ compensation claims community.
Arrive early for a welcome cocktail in David’s Club on Wednesday evening at 7:00p.m. On Thursday, following Oral Arguments with the First DCA, our Law Firm Sponsors invite you to join them for a cocktail reception, allowing the opportunity to network with an elite group of Workers’ Compensation legal and claims professionals from technicians to decision-makers.
New for 2019: Oral Arguments with the First DCA!
The Omni Orlando Resort ChampionsGate
** Reduced Rates **
A room block at ChampionsGate has been arranged at a discounted rate of $194.00 (resort fee waived). The cut-off date for this special rate is Friday, March 13th, 2019. (There is a 72 hour cancellation policy)
Reservations are dependent on availability within our room block.
** Due to our limited room block, please only book the amount of rooms needed per confirmed registrations**
Fifteen (15) law firms are invited to join the Section and the WCCP claims and employer community in sponsoring this premiere educational event. Sponsoring Law Firms will be the exclusively hosting Welcome Cocktails in David's Club, Wednesday evening, April 10th, from 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., and Thursday's Afternoon Reception on April 11th immediately following the educational program. Sponsoring firms will receive formal recognition at the event and will be included in the Forum Sponsor/Exhibitor slide presentation throughout the conference.
Firms who register their sponsorship prior to January 22, 2019, will be listed in the 2019 Forum Course Book & eBook. Law firm sponsors will also receive a 6' tabletop display.
To register please click the form below or online at, www.wccp.org
(room block deadline is March 13th, 2019 while rooms last.** Due to our limited room block, please only book the amount of rooms needed per confirmed registrations**)
ORLANDO, FLORIDA – Florida Judge of Compensation Claims, Robert L. Dietz, recently received the 2018 David Hammond Professionalism Award of the Judge William Wieland Workers’ Compensation Inns of Court of Central Florida. Dietz is assigned to the Sebastian/Melbourne District office, hearing workers’ compensation cases for Brevard, Indian River and Okeechobee counties, as well as statewide cases as needed.
The Judge William Wieland Workers’ Compensation Inns of Court of Central Florida presents the annual David Hammond Professionalism Award based on the criteria of professionalism, preparation, legal knowledge, ethics, respect by all parties, honesty, conduct and longevity. The winner is selected by the inn’s professionalism committee, comprised of judges, state and private mediators and attorneys. The award is named for David Hammond, a well-respected claimant attorney in Orlando who died in 2001 at the age of 51 and who was known for all of the qualities listed.
Dietz, an attorney with over 30 years of experience, is a Florida Bar Board Certified Workers’ Compensation Lawyer, since 1992, and an adjunct professor at Barry University College of Law. In addition, he is a Florida Supreme Court Certified Civil Mediator, mediating more than 1,300 cases. Throughout his career, Dietz has focused his practice in the area of workers' compensation law.
A national and statewide leader in the legal profession, Dietz has formerly served as President of both the Professional Mediation Institute and the Florida Defense Lawyers Association and is the former National Chair of the American Bar Association’s Workers’ Compensation and Employers’ Liability Committee. In 2013, Dietz was awarded one of only two prestigious international awards presented at the Civitan International Convention, the International Honor Key for outstanding service to the community and the organization. Dietz holds a B.A. degree from Eckerd College (1979), and his J.D. from Vanderbilt University Law School (1982).
