Workers' Compensation Law Archives - Page 3 of 17 - The Law Offices of Charles H Leo, PA

January 19, 2023

Learn How Social Media Can Hurt Your Personal Injury Claim

Social media allows us to stay connected to people near and far. However, what you post on social media can have far-reaching implications, especially if you are involved in a personal injury case in Orlando. A trained legal team can help protect your rights and interests throughout the claims process.

The Law Offices of Charles H. Leo, P.A. have been representing personal injury clients for years. We know firsthand how even one update on social media can significantly impact your results. Call Leo Trial Group to speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer in Orlando, FL. We can provide the guidance you need to protect yourself from any potential setbacks.

Why be mindful of what you post on social media?

Insurance companies and their investigators have a habit of using social media to track the movements of an accident victim in order to poke holes in their claims. For example, if someone states that their injuries prevent them from engaging in certain activities and then posts a video of themselves playing a sport like basketball or soccer, it could be used to discredit their claims.

What if my social media accounts are private?

Despite the impression that your private social media is only yours to view, courts can allow opposing lawyers access to these platforms if requested. A court’s priority lies in obtaining a comprehensive account of an accident victim’s losses over their right to online privacy. Keep this in mind — what you post on the internet may be used against you without warning.

How can I protect myself on social media?

If you have been involved in an accident in Orlando, FL, and are in the process of filing a claim, do not post anything on social media until the case has been resolved. This includes anything related to the accident or detailing any interactions with opposing lawyers, witnesses, medical providers, and insurance companies.

Here are some additional tips to ensure your social media is not used against you:

Refrain from discussing your case with anyone online, even friends and family.
Determine who has access to your social media accounts, and make sure they understand not to post anything regarding the case without consulting with you first.
Be mindful of any check-ins that may reveal where you were at a particular time. Consider disabling location services for certain apps on your phone.
Change the privacy settings of your social media accounts so that only confirmed friends and family can view them.
Do not accept any friend requests from people you do not know.

How does Leo Trial Group help?

At the Law Offices of Charles H. Leo, P.A., our experienced personal injury attorneys in Orlando are dedicated to protecting your rights and interests during a personal injury claim. We understand how quickly a post on social media may be used against you in court and will help guide you throughout the claims process. Our staff also provides advice on how best to protect your privacy and interests moving forward.

File a personal injury claim in Orlando

Do you have questions about posting on social media after an accident? Call the Law Offices of Charles H. Leo, P.A. to speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer in Orlando, FL, today. With the help of Leo Trial Group, you can feel confident that your rights and interests are being represented. Contact us today to get started.

June 30, 2022

Personal injury basics: answers to commonly-asked questions

How soon should I see a personal injury attorney after an accident?

You should always see a personal injury attorney as soon as possible after an accident. Waiting too long could harm your case or give the other side an advantage. Seeking legal counsel from Law Offices of Charles H. Leo, P.A. early on gives you the best chance of getting maximum compensation.

Do I have a strong case for compensation?

Many factors determine whether you have a strong case for compensation. These include the following:

Who is at fault? If the other party is clearly to blame for the accident, you may have a good case. Those who are partially at fault for the accident may still be able to receive compensation.

What are the damages? You must suffer some sort of damages, such as property damage, medical bills, or lost wages, in order to have a valid personal injury claim.

Are you able to collect a claim? Even if you have a strong case, you may not be able to collect if the other party does not have insurance or lacks the financial resources to pay a judgment.

Is the claim timely? All personal injury claims come with a statute of limitations, which is the deadline for filing a lawsuit. Your claim could be barred if you wait too long.

If I make a claim, is there a lawsuit involved?

Most cases are resolved without the need for a lawsuit. Instead, a claim is filed with an insurance company, and an attorney negotiates to get you the best settlement offer. Law Offices of Charles H. Leo, P.A. will not hesitate to file a lawsuit if it is in your best interest, however.

How long will my case take if I file a claim?

The answer depends on the complexity of your case and how willing the other side is to cooperate. Some claims are resolved quickly, while others may take longer. Rest assured that we work hard to get you the compensation you need and deserve in a timely manner.

How much does a personal injury attorney cost?

At the Law Offices of Charles H. Leo, P.A., we work on a contingency fee basis. This means you only pay if we successfully recover compensation. There are no upfront costs or hourly rates, so you can focus on getting better while we handle all of the relevant legal aspects of your case.

These are just some of the many questions personal injury victims have. If you have been injured and are unsure how to move forward, contact the Law Offices of Charles H. Leo, P.A. today for a free consultation. We can answer your questions and help you fully understand your legal rights.

February 22, 2022

Q & A with Attorney Charles Leo

Charles Leo Personal Injury Attorney — *Top: Celebrating the championship with the team.*
*Bottom left: Softball team Bye Week’s championship*
*win. Bottom right: Chirck’s turn taking home the trophy*

Charles Holden “Chick” Leo has been licensed to practice law since May 21, 1992. In May of this year, he will mark 30 years of practice in workers’ compensation law, 25-plus of those years in his own firm, Charles H. Leo PA, which he established on January 1, 1997. Asked about his greatest accomplishments as a workers’ compensation attorney, Mr. Leo related a trial victory in which he won compensability for a homeless man of his leg amputation after a nail puncture wound.

The workers’ compensation insurance denied antibiotics, which led to the amputation. Mr. Leo also takes pride in his role in the appellate case Cynthia Richardson v. Aramark, the second case consolidated behind Castellanos v. Next Door Co., 192 S. 3d 431 (Fla. 2016).

“We were allowed to brief my record, which included the reported fee disparities recorded by DOAH that showed the ‘Keeto effect,’ the data cited in Castellanos that led to the Florida Supreme Court’s holding that if a claimant shows that his attorney would receive an unreasonable fee, then the claimant’s attorney would be entitled to a fee ‘that deviates from the fee schedule,’” Mr. Leo says.

Here Mr. Leo shares tips for a well-balanced work life that he has learned over his 30 years of practicing workers’ compensation law.

Q: What do you do to start off your workday on a fresh note?
A: Morning meditation while hanging upside down on my inversion table (teeter) and then up to 45 minutes of treadmill work and strength training.

Q: What is your philosophy on a healthy workday?
A: When I’m at work, I stay focused and work efficiently. I don’t take work home in the evening, and I turn off my work phone. When I’m at home, I want to be present for my family.

Q: Do you enjoy owning your own firm?
A: Yes, working long hours is easier when working for yourself, and you control your own time. If a job takes too much time from your family, then you should change jobs. I don’t have to attend meetings that take away from the real purpose of my job. I’m a fan of banning afterhours emails, phone calls, and Zoom meetings.

Q: Are you active with sports or other activities outside of work?
A: Yes, I play softball and golf with my friends and travel a lot with family.

Q: Do you like any other activities that are a good source of exercise?
A: Yes, I like to add in surfing and bike riding on the weekends when I have the time.

This Q&A was published on the 440 Report: Click here to read

September 3, 2021

Charles H. Leo Selected as one of Orlando’s Attorneys of the Year

Please join us in congratulating Florida Board Certified Workers’ Compensation Lawyer, Charles H. Leo, for being selected as one of Orlando’s Attorneys of the Year for 2021 by Orlando Style Magazine. Read about all of his recent settlements/wins that led to this great accomplishment. Click Here for the details.

You can read the full article regarding the award here Charles H. Leo, P.A. – Orlando Style Magazine.

Congratulations, Attorney Charles Leo is the Best Workers Compensation Attorney in Orlando that I know

Fighting for Orlando’s Workers

Charles Leo is a Board Certified Workers’ Compensation Attorney practicing in Central Florida. He is a longtime Central Florida resident who left only to finish his education at Florida State University. Charles Leo was raised in Cocoa Beach, Florida. In high school, he was voted by his classmates as ‘Most Likely to Succeed’ and Senior Class President. During his senior year, Charles was on the Cocoa Beach High School football team that won the only District Championship in Cocoa Beach history. Charles was awarded a National Merit Scholarship and Florida Academic Scholarship to attend Florida State University.

While attending FSU, Charles Leo continued to amass achievements as he was chosen to be a Seminole Ambassador while being active in intramural sports through his fraternity.

After graduating with a degree in Economics in 1989, Charles attended F.S.U. College of Law, where he was one of 6 members of his class chosen to compete on the Moot Court /Mock Trial Team. During his internship at the State Attorney’s Office, Charles was allowed to handle several jury and non-jury trials before he had even completed law school.

Charles graduated from Florida State University College of Law in 1991 and was accepted and sworn into the Florida Bar at the age of 24. From there, Charles took a position with an insurance defense firm that promised him trial work as part of his job offer. After representing employers and insurance companies across the state of Florida for 4 and a half years, Charles ventured out in 1997 and started his own firm with a dedication to helping injured workers and accident victims.

Throughout his 24+ years of running his own firm and helping the workers of Central Florida, Charles Leo has won a litany of awards and honors for his work in the legal community. Charles Leo is Florida Bar Board Certified in workers compensation – the highest classification given by the Florida Bar. He is currently serving his 5th 5-year term as a Board Certified attorney after earning the designation in 1998 as an expert in workers’ compensation.

In addition, Charles Leo has been a Florida Super Lawyer since 2008, 14 straight years. This designation is given only to the top 5% of all lawyers in the state of Florida, ranking him among the elite workers’ compensation attorneys in Florida.

Martindale-Hubble has given Charles an AV rating, which is the highest rating that an attorney can receive for ethics, professionalism, and competence in law, and this designation is chosen by lawyers and the judiciary.

National Trial Lawyers have named Charles as one of the top 100 trial lawyers in the country several times, which is also a peer-reviewed designation and voted on by the nation’s best lawyers.

Expertise.com has awarded Charles as one of the Best Workers Compensation Attorneys in Orlando for both 2020 and 2021.

In addition to these designations and awards, Charles has previously been listed as “Top Lawyers in Florida” and “Top Lawyers in Orlando” from American Heritage and Orlando Home & Leisure. He has also been chosen to be included in the National Register’s “Who’s Who Among Business and Professional Achievers”.

Today, Charles is married with two children and is an avid fan of all FSU sports. In his free time, Charles enjoys spending time with his family and friends, playing sports, and fishing on the coast. Charles is still an avid surfer, which has been a lifelong passion, and will make it to the beach whenever possible to ride some waves.

If you have been injured on the job and need legal representation, call Orlando Workers’ Compensation Attorney, Charles H. Leo, for a free consultation at (407) 839-1160.

June 24, 2021

Charles H. Leo Selected to 2021 Super Lawyers List

Charles H. Leo has been selected to the 2021 Florida Super Lawyers list (13 years in a row). Each year, no more than five percent of the lawyers in the state are selected by the research team at Super Lawyers to receive this honor.

Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters business, is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The annual selections are made using a patented multiphase process that includes a statewide survey of lawyers, an independent research evaluation of candidates, and peer reviews by practice area. The result is a credible, comprehensive, and diverse listing of exceptional attorneys.

The Super Lawyers lists are published nationwide in Super Lawyers Magazines and in leading city and regional magazines and newspapers across the country. Super Lawyers Magazines also feature editorial profiles of attorneys who embody excellence in the practice of law. For more information about Super Lawyers, visit SuperLawyers.com.