Areas of Practice

Representing insurance carriers, third party administrators, and a multitude of employers

Since 1989, our firm has represented insurance carriers, third party administrators, and a multitude of employers from various industries, in Workers’ Compensation Insurance Defense matters.

Workers’ Compensation Insurance Defense

Not only are we experienced attorneys, but we offer stability and dependability to our clients. We are proud that our attorneys and staff have been with the firm for many years, and turn-over is rare. We offer extensive litigation experience and have represented clients in thousands of cases including catastrophic injuries, exposure claims, construction claims, coverage disputes, subrogation matters, complex settlements, Heart and Lung claims, and appeals.

Our attorneys provide continuing education credits and conduct seminars on Workers’ Compensation law, and related topics.

Our clients keep a sharp eye on the bottom line and appreciate the high level of service our firm provides at a reasonable cost. Our attorneys work hard to understand the needs and goals of our clients and to exceed their expectations.

Subrogation

Our firm recognizes the importance of identifying potential subrogation claims, investigating the situation, and acting to protect the Employer and/or Carrier’s interests. When a worker is injured by the negligence of a third party, the injured worker or the Employer/Carrier may be able to sue the negligent third party in circuit court. In some cases, the Employer and/or Carrier in workers’ compensation cases has a subrogation interest, or a right to recover the money they spent from the third party. Our experienced attorneys handle subrogation matters from inception through equitable distribution hearings.

Insurance Defense and General Liability

Hayes, Schloss & Alcocer, P.A. understands insurance companies and self-insureds’ need for aggressive and efficient legal services. We seek creative approaches to the effective litigation, negotiation, and resolution of insurance defense cases, representing primary insurers and self-insured entities. We advise our clients regarding risk management, contractual liability, evaluation of exposure, and coordination of complex claims. Through our extensive involvement in insurance defense litigation, we have developed a strong knowledge base regarding insurance industry practices and policy provisions.

Our Attorneys have the analytical skill, extensive legal knowledge, and experience to provide our clients with strategic, effective representation in insurance defense claims, including those related to automobile accidents, slip and falls, negligent security, and premises liability. In our insurance defense cases and throughout our practice, we are committed to personal, hands-on attention, to regular and proactive communication and status reports, and to bringing excellent results on our clients' behalf.

Workers’ Compensation Insurance Defense Appellate Practice

Before an appeal goes forward, our Attorneys carefully study the record in the lower court and analyze the lower court decision. Effective appellate advocacy requires a candid assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of the case and the costs associated with an appeal, to determine what is ultimately in the best interests of the client. Our Appellate Attorneys conduct an analysis of lower court orders to assess the viability of an appeal, prepare an appellate budget for the case, and prepare an anticipated timeline for the resolution of the appeal. Hayes, Schloss & Alcocer, P.A. has decades of handling appellate matters, including Oral Arguments, before the First District Court of Appeal and Florida Supreme Court. We are proud that our experience in appellate matters have resulted in many successful results for our clients as well as landmark decisions in Workers’ Compensation.

Our Attorneys have the analytical skill, extensive legal knowledge, experience, and persuasive writing ability to provide our clients with strategic, effective appellate counsel. We value our client partnerships and look forward to the opportunity to put our skills and experience to work for you to protect your trial court victories, pursue reversal of an unfavorable result, or otherwise advance your interests by shaping the law through legal precedent. Our attorneys have been responsible for numerous appellate decisions which have shaped the practice of Workers’ Compensation in areas including occupational exposure, heart-lung presumption, statute of limitations, attorney fees, and Florida workers compensation constitutional issues. Some of the firm’s appellate decisions include:

  • Nugent v. Pratt & Whitney, 641 So. 2d 868 (Fla.1st DCA 1994)
  • City of Lake Worth v. Rodberg, 637 So. 2d 240 (Fla. 1st DCA 1994)
  • St. Lucie County v. Willis, 649 So. 2d 238 (Fla. 1st DCA 1995)
  • Town of Jupiter v. Andreff, 656 So.2d 1374 (Fla. 1st DCA 1995)
  • United Techs. Turbo v. Humphrey, 656 So. 2d 1281 (Fla. 1st DCA 1995)
  • Calfee v. Pratt & Whitney, 667 So. 2d 392 (Fla. 1st DCA 1995)
  • Gregorio Colon-Salo vs. Florida Power & Light et al., 697 So. 2d 514 (Fla. 1st DCA 1997)
  • Holiday Inn Surfside/Vista Host v. Walker, 697 So. 2d 1219 (Fla. 1st DCA 1997)
  • City of Riviera Beach v. Deliso, 713 So. 2d 426 (Fla. 1st DCA 1997)
  • City of Riviera Beach v. Deliso, 749 So.2d 516 (Fla. 1st DCA 1999)
  • St. Lucie County Sch. Bd. v. Landess, 705 So. 2d 13 ( Fla. 1st DCA 1998)
  • Husted v. Town of Palm Beach Fire & Rescue, 728 So. 2d 209 (Fla. 1st DCA 1998)
  • Anthony DiFranco vs. St. Lucie County Sheriff, 731 So. 2d 652 (Fla. 1st DCA 1999)
  • Martin County Sch. Bd. v. Nicorvo, 755 So. 2d 117 (Fla. 1st DCA 2000)
  • City of Stuart v. Maines, 768 So. 2d 447 (Fla. 1st DCA 2000)
  • Holt v. St. Lucie County B.O.C.C., 773 So. 2d 541 (Fla. 1st DCA 2000)
  • Pinson v. Brevard County Sheriff's Office, 796 So. 2d 1168 (Fla. 1st DCA 2001)
  • Indian River County Sch. Bd. v. Hunter, 789 So. 2d 991 (Fla. 1st DCA 2001)
  • Rolle v. City of Riviera Beach/Gallagher Bassett Serv., 826 So. 2d 1075 (Fla. 1st DCA 2002)
  • Whalen v. City of Riviera Beach, 831 So. 2d 184 (Fla. 1st DCA 2002)
  • Venero v. Atl. Sugar Ass'n, 833 So. 2d 126 (Fla.1st DCA 2002)
  • Edwards v. Fla. Roofing Serv., 851 So. 2d 154 (Fla. 1st DCA 2003)
  • Special Disability Trust Fund v. Palm Beach County Sch. Bd., 866 So. 2d 1216 (Fla. 1st DCA 2004)
  • Ohl v. Indian River County Sch. Bd., 871 So. 2d 212 (Fla. 1st DCA 2004)
  • Publix Supermarkets, Inc. v. Willis, 895 So. 2d 1071 (Fla. 1st DCA 2005)
  • Indian River County Sch. Bd. v. Colletti, 898 So. 2d 941 (Fla. 1st DCA 2005)
  • Miller v. St. Lucie County Sch. Bd., 903 So. 2d 940 (Fla. 1st DCA 2005)
  • Schwarz v. City of Delray Beach, 902 So. 2d 798 (Fla. 1st DCA 2005)
  • Ramsay v. Martin County BOCC, 903 So. 2d 195 (Fla. 1st DCA 2005)
  • McBride v. Pratt & Whitney, 909 So. 2d 386 (Fla. 1st DCA 2005)
  • Miller v. City of Delray Beach Police Dep't, 920 So. 2d 768 (Fla. 1st DCA 2006)
  • Gonzales v. SEI Corp., 924 So. 2d 814 (Fla. 1st DCA 2006)
  • St. Lucie County Sch. Bd. v. Fuller, 957 So. 2d 42 (Fla. 1st DCA 2007)
  • City of Delray Beach v. Wells, 957 So. 2d 694 (Fla. 1st DCA 2007)
  • Southeast Atl. Bev. Corp. v. Marquez, 965 So. 2d 1146 (Fla. 1st DCA 2007)
  • Smith v. Sch. Bd. Of Highland County, 986 So. 2d 606 (Fla. 1st DCA 2008)
  • Atl. Sugar Ass'n v. Chen, 988 So. 2d 624 (Fla. 1st DCA 2008)
  • Mazon v. St. Lucie County Sch. Bd., 31 So. 3d 785 (Fla. 1st DCA 2010)
  • Hendry County Sch. Bd. v. Schuch, 30 So. 3d 496 (Fla. 1st DCA 2010)
  • Bruza v. Highlands County Sch. Bd., 49 So. 3d 1267 (Fla. 1st DCA 2010)
  • Green v. City of Riviera Beach, 53 So. 3d 1026 (Fla. 1st DCA 2011)
  • Payne v. City of Riviera Beach, 66 So. 3d 944 (Fla. 1st DCA 2011)
  • St. Lucie County Sch. Bd. v. Bentley, 54 So. 3d 495 (Fla. 1st DCA 2011)
  • St. Lucie County Sch. Bd. v. Mazon, 141 So. 3d 562 (Fla. 1st DCA 2013)
  • St. Lucie County Sch. Bd. v. Thiess, 127 So. 3d 507 (Fla. 1st DCA 2013)
  • KBR, Inc. v. Lay, 152 So. 3d 569 (Fla. 1st DCA 2014)
  • Gordon v. City of Riviera Beach, 156 So. 3d 1078 (Fla. 1st DCA 2015)
  • Lay v. KBB, 233 So. 3d 1047 (Fla. 1st DCA 2017)
  • O'Neal v. St. Lucie Cty. Sch. Bd., 237 So. 3d 954 (Fla. 1st DCA 2017)
  • Varricchio vs. St. Lucie County Clerk of Courts et al., 1D17-3229 (Fla. 1st DCA 2018)
  • School District of Indian River County et al. vs. Cruce, etc., 1D17-3342 (Fla. 1st DCA)
  • Napier vs. City of Riviera Beach, 1D18-2576 (Fla. 1st DCA)