The US Department of Labor requires all employers to verify individuals are legal to work. Part of the verification process is the completion of an I-9 form prior to starting work. The process is relatively simple. 1. The employee attests in writing, to their eligibility to work. 2. The employee provides the verification documents required to the employer. 3. The employer must review the documents provided, record the information and certify that the documents appear to be genuine and that the new hire is eligible to work. If the new hire cannot provide the required documents, they are simply not eligible to work in the United States. Some employers have attempted to pay ,any individuals that cannot provide the requirement documents, on 1099’s. This is not legal and can result in the cancellation of your workers’ compensation policy along with civil penalties and imprisonment. Not eligible to work means just that -not eligible to work in any form or fashion. You will need to seek another potential new hire. If you currently do not utilize the I-9 as part of your new hire package, please start including it immediately. Here is a link to the form: Click here: Please go to the WCA Learning Center to find a link to the USCIS I-9 Handbook for Employers for a more complete explanation. Click here: Additional Resources: E-Verify: Click here: If you have questions on any of the information in this article, please don’t hesitate to call us at (561) 500-FLWC (3592). This is one of the many services provided by Work Comp Associates, Inc.

A new bill under consideration by Florida lawmakers would stop insurance companies from dodging workers compensation payouts by aiding in the arrest and deportation of unauthorized immigrants who are injured on the job. Legislators and advocates have been pushing for the measure since last summer, when ProPublica and NPR documented more than 130 cases in which immigrants who had suffered legitimate workplace injuries were flagged to law enforcement agencies by their employers' insurers. The workers faced felony fraud charges for using a fake ID when they sought medical care. Meanwhile, the insurers often avoided paying the workers' compensation benefits legally due to all employees injured at work. Click to read more:

After more than doubling company revenue from 2016 to 2017, Richard and Rice Construction is ready to dominate the industry once again. The company was founded in 2004, but nearly shut down through no fault of their own. In January of 2016, owners Gaetan Richard and Murray Rice were surprised and shocked when their Deerfield Beach offices were raided. The raid, seizure, and arrests took place before the government had examined their computers, cell phones, and office files and documents. Richard, Rice, and four other colleagues were taken into custody on suspicion of workers compensation fraud. Their pictures were plastered on local newspapers and TV. Richard & Rice immediately proclaimed their innocence and would later learn that the actions of a sub-contractor is what roped them into the mess. Richard & Rice Construction and its owners had no reason to believe there was any wrongdoing and believed the sub-contractors they were working with were following all laws. As it turned out, the sub-contractor had been caught in workers compensation fraud and mislead the police into believing Richard & Rice had knowledge of this, when in fact they did not. Click to read more:

After years of decline, the number of arrests made by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) climbed to a three-year high in fiscal 2017, according to data from the agency. The biggest percentage increases were in Florida, northern Texas and Oklahoma. ICE made a total of 143,470 arrests in fiscal 2017, a 30% rise from fiscal 2016. The surge began after President Donald Trump took office in late January: From his Jan. 20 inauguration to the end of the fiscal year on Sept. 30, ICE made 110,568 arrests, 42% more than in the same time period in 2016. Click to read more:

An employee is suing a disposal service, alleging breach of contract for unpaid wages and refusal to provide workers' compensation claim. Willie Parker, Jr. filed a complaint on Jan. 3 in the 9th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida - Orange County against Disposall Inc. alleging the company violated the Fair Labor Standard Act. Click to read more:

Two Honduran citizens have pleaded guilty to creating shell companies in Central Florida that allowed construction contractors and subcontractors to hire mostly undocumented aliens and skirt paying payroll taxes and workers' compensation insurance, federal prosecutors announced Thursday. Anyi “Angie” Artica-Romero, 32, and Milton Noel Romero, 35, both of Orlando, have pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, the U.S. Attorney's Office said. Click to read more:

In accordance with a previously-agreed restructuring plan with lenders, Patriot National, Inc., an insurance technology and outsourcing firm, has officially filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and reorganization. The chapter 11 filing was made Jan. 30 in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware by the company and its direct and indirect U.S.-based subsidiaries. Click to read more:

In November 2016, Florida voters approved Constitutional Amendment 2, which created a constitutional right to use medical marijuana for individuals with certain “debilitating medical conditions” as determined by a licensed Florida physician. Currently, the list of medical conditions includes: Click to read more:

A former employee is suing a St. Petersburg lumber company, alleging wrongful termination. Jonathan Haight filed a complaint Jan. 4 in Pinellas Circuit Court against Tibbetts Lumber Co LLC, alleging he was fired after seeking benefits for an injured shoulder. Click to read more:

Workers’ compensation rates have been reduced by nearly 10 percent this year but state legislative leaders said this week they want to make some changes to the system designed to help injured workers return to their jobs. Florida House Speaker Richard Corcoran fast-tracked the House’s workers’ compensation bill (HB 7009), passed by the chamber by a 74-30 vote on Friday. Click to read more:

n 2014, Abednego nearly severed his index finger while working construction. His boss hired him without verifying his documents. After the injury, he was fired and denied medical care. He was arrested for fraud and spent 33 days in detention. A Florida lawmaker said he will file a measure in the session that began Tuesday to require employers and insurers to pay workers’ compensation benefits to undocumented workers injured on the job who now can be denied coverage. Click here to read more:

Injured workers racked up nearly $186 million in approved legal fees in 2016-2017, a 36 percent increase from the previous year, a state report on the workers' compensation insurance system shows. In all, attorneys' fees in the workers compensation system totaled nearly $440 million during the 2016-2017 fiscal year. The majority -- nearly $254 million -- were forked out by employers defending workers' compensation claims. Click to read more: