Florida Workers' Compensation Lawyer Blog

There are many factors which contribute to the rising costs of medical care, as a component of the Florida workers' compensation system. Among these medical costs, prescription drugs are the most significant factor in recent years. According to a study prepared by the Workers' Compensation Research Institute, the average cost per claim in Florida for prescription drugs rose by 14% over the past two years. This is dramatically higher in comparison to other States.

The main reason for the increase in prescription costs was two-fold: 1. More frequent prescription medications by medical providers and 2. More expensive prescription drugs being prescribed.

Florida workers' compensation attorney and lawyer Randy Zeldin, Esq. of Boca Raton, likens the rise of prescription costs in workers' compensation to all other health care sectors, including private major medical coverage and Medicare. "The pharmaceutical companies simply have too much influence over South Florida physicians," according to workers' compensation attorney and lawyer. Randy Zeldin, Esq.. Injured workers in Boca Raton, Pompano Beach, Deerfield Beach, Delray Beach and Boynton Beach often get too little care under Florida workers' compensation rather than too much, stated workers' compensation attorney Randy Zeldin, Esq.

Gov. Rick Scott recently signed into law HB 1087, which makes many minor changes to the Florida workers' compensation law. Most significantly, the bill allows workers' compensation insurance carriers to make payments of lost wages in the form of a pre-paid debit card. That would allow injured workers to use the card similar to any other form of debit card, for purchases of groceries, clothing, etc.. Prior to this change in the law, payments could only be in the form of bi-weekly checks or direct deposits.

An injured worker choosing the pre-paid debit card, must be able to: 1. Have at least one means of accessing weekly benefits without incurring fees and 2. They cannot make purchases which will cause any fees to the financial institution issuing the card.

This change in the law should be of some help to injured workers in Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, Deerfield Beach and Pompano Beach, according to workers' compensation attorney and lawyer Randy Zeldin, Esq. The "snail mail" method of sending checks is slow and cumbersome and often results in hardships for injured workers and many lost checks in the mail.