Palm Beach County Bar Association – Workers’ Compensation Committee

2017 – 18 Workers’ Compensation Practice Committee Members:

Chair: Nicole Hessen (nicole@injuredworkersonly.com)

Committee Members: Michele Tabitha Bachoon, Bruce G. Burk, Hon. Thomas A. Hedler, Rand Hoch, Hon. Gregory John Johnsen, Hillarey McCall, Suzanna Scarborough, Hon. Carol Stephenson, Ryan Vataaro,

If you are interested in joining the committee, contact Jen Iacobucci.

HELPFUL LINKS:

Workers’ Compensation Forms Workers’ Compensation Rules Workers’ Compensation District Offices Workers’ Compensation Resources Florida Bar Workers’ Compensation Section Chief Judge Langham Blog

Judicial Panel Discussion regarding JCC Procedures.

Click Here for more information

CLE OFFERINGS:

A Workers’ Compensation Claim from Start to Finish!
https://cle.palmbeachbar.org/course-details.php?455

KENNIE EDWARDS AWARD:

On September 19, 1996 a horrible tragedy occurred in the workers’ compensation community that most will never forget. An injured worker armed with a shotgun and a handgun burst into a workers’ compensation defense firm in West Palm Beach, Florida. Attorney Kennie Edwards was shot and killed at age 38 leaving behind his pregnant wife and five year old son. The injured worker then shot and killed himself. Following this horrific event the workers’ compensation community established the Kennie Edwards Award which is presented annually to the Workers’ Compensation attorney who best exemplifies those professional qualities admired in Kennie- honesty, integrity, cordiality, good humor, high ethical standards and advocacy tempered by a sense of humility. Past recipients of the Kennie Edwards Award are: Honorable Timothy Basquill, Jason Goldstone, Alison Schefer, Randy Porcher, Honorable Shelley Punancy, Michael Celeste, Lyle Platt, Michelle Leissle, Charles Williams, Lloyd Findler, Walter Beisler, Art Pumpian, David Rigell, Stan Narkier, Michael McManus, Nicole Hessen, Jeffrey Friedman, Marissa Hoffman and this year’s recipient, John Clarke. Mr. Clarke was Kennie Edwards’ law partner and was at the deposition when the tragedy occurred. During his acceptance speech, John highlighted many of Kennie’s admirable qualities.

2018 Worker’s Compensation Seminar

: Michael Celeste congratulating this year’s Kennie Edwards recipient, John Clarke

: Committee Co-chairs Alicia Kobasky and Nichole Hessen

: Our Judicial Panelists (l-r) Judge Dietz, Judge Johnsen, Judge Stephenson, Judge Kerr, Judge Owens, Judge Clark, Judge Lewis and Judge Hedler.

: John Clarke and his daughter along with past Kennie Edward’s award recipients. Front row (l-r) John Clarke, Marissa Hoffman, Michael Celeste, Nichole Hessen, Alison Schefer. Back row (l-r) Lyle Platt, Jeffrey Friedman, David Rigell and Michele Leisele

: Christian Petric and Stacy Barnes

: Michael Imber, Chad Bubis, Scott Levine and Michael Celeste

: Angel Kirkconnell and Kurt Wyland

: Michael Scott, Ryan Reif and Alan Aronson

: Nicole Wright and Rene Lopez

: Isabel Alcocer, Brenda Hoffman and Pat Malone

: Ryan Reif, Tom Stanford and Lori Bailey

: John Clarke and his adorable daughter Sloane

2017 Worker’s Compensation Seminar

2016 Worker’s Compensation Seminar

: Donna Wolfe and Brian Vassallo

: Kurt Wyland & Judge Mary D’Ambrosio

: Joseph D’Ambrosio & Michael Celeste

: Jeffrey Friedman (left) being presented with this year’s Kennie Edwards award by Michael Celeste

: Judge Mary D’Ambrosio and Randy Zeldin

: Michael Celeste and Judge Timothy Basquill

2015 Worker’s Compensation Seminar

: Judge Robert McAliley, Judge D’ Ambrosio, Judge Iliana Forte, Judge Edward R. Almeyda , and Judge Margret G. Kerr

: Mike Celeste presenting the Kennie Edwards Award to Judge D’Ambrosio

: Judge Mary D’Ambrosio (this year’s recipient of the Kennie Edwards Award) and her children, Gina and Nicholas; along with Kurt Wyland, Chair of the WC Section

: Dr. Andrew Walker of Beaches Open MRI, and Kurt Wyland

: Daniel Bachi, Phillip Thompson, Ken Ehrlich, Kenneth Schwartz

: Alicia Kobasky, Judge Gerardo Castiello, Judge Robert McAliley and Kurt Wyland

: Jerry Mckim and Steven Foor of Wyland Tadros LLP

: Dr. Richard Weiner, Orthopedic Surgeon with Orthopedic Care Specialists

February 28, 2014 Workers’ Compensation Seminar

: Michael Edwards and Jerry McKim

: Jane Robin Wender, Alicia Kobasky, Tom Hedler and Nicole Wright

: Nicole Hessen- 2014 Recipient of the Kennie Edwards Memorial Award with Family and Mike Celeste, Jane Robin Wender and Tom Hedler

: A packed house at the Palm Beach County Bar Office

: Natalie Navarro and Heather Pattok

: Dr. Bruce Rodan and Kurt Wyland

: David Prather, Kurt Wyland and David Tadros

: Marc Golden, Kurt Wyland and Judge Mary D’Ambrosio

INAUGURAL WORKERS’ COMPENSATION SEMINAR:

The first Annual Workers’ Compensation Seminar was a huge success in 2013! The seminar was held at the Palm Beach County Bar Association and discussed topics including but not limited to: Professionalism; Everything you ever wanted to know about Kyphplaysty the next Waive of Minimally Invasive Treatment for the Spine; Practical Consideration and Discovery Practices when dealing with PEO’s; Compelling Attorney Fee Motions and An Overview of the Reverse Shoulder Replacement. We completed the program with a Question and Answer Session with the Judges of Compensation Claims assigned to handle claims in Palm Beach County. Pictures from this event: