When Florida employers seek resolution of claims or controversies arising out of the Florida workers’ compensation law, they often turn to Heather. Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Workers’ Compensation, Heather leads Marshall Dennehey’s Florida workers’ compensation practice. She devotes the entirety of her practice to workers’ compensation defense, representing businesses, third-party administrators and self-insureds across myriad industries. Heather’s clients benefit from her insights and experience in dealing with the analysis and litigation of problems or controversies arising out of the Florida Workers' Compensation Law. She also has experience handling employment law matters.
Heather is an active writer and lecturer. She has authored multiple articles in the Florida Workers’ Comp Reporter. She has lectured on behalf of the Workers’ Compensation Section of The Florida Bar and at various continuing education seminars. Heather is also a Certified Instructor of Insurance Education for the State of Florida and often presents seminars to clients.
Prior to joining Marshall Dennehey, Heather was a partner at one of the leading defense firms in the southeast.
Away from work, she enjoys hiking, biking, traveling and spending time with her family. She is a committee member with the Jacksonville Humane Society, and volunteers for Jacksonville Area Legal Aid (JALA). She completed the 2008 New York City marathon, and the National Breast Cancer Marathon, and often participates in road races that benefit various charitable organizations.
Honors & awards
AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell
Florida Trend Legal Elite NOTABLE Women Leaders in Law
2024
John J. Schickel Professionalism and Excellence Award, E. Robert Williams Inn of Court
2024
American Lawyer Media, Top Rated Lawyer in Labor & Employment
2013, 2014, 2016
Florida Super Lawyers Rising Star
2010, 2013-2016
Jacksonville Magazine, "Jacksonville Legal Elite"
2015-2017
904 Magazine “Top Lawyer,” Workers’ Compensation
2012, 2014
Year joined
2018
Certification
Board Certified Specialist, Workers' Compensation, The Florida Bar
Results
Settlement Agreements Upheld in Florida Workers’ Compensation Cases
Workers' Compensation
January 31, 2024
We successfully argued that a settlement agreement, based upon a binding and enforceable agreement reached via email between the parties, is enforced. The claimant had given her attorney authority to settle, but subsequently changed her mind. Based upon case law, there was unequivocal authority to settle and it was too late for the claimant to negate the agreement previously reached. The judge of compensation claims agreed and upheld the settlement.
Judge doesn’t buy that chemical exposure was major contributing cause for claimant’s complaints.
Workers' Compensation
February 16, 2022
We won a total controvert on a workers’ compensation exposure claim and successfully defended a denial. The claimant alleged exposure to a toxic airplane paint thinner at a plant in Kentucky in December of 2019. He was a subcontractor of the airplane manufacturer, but a Florida employee. The claimant complained of breathing issues and skin rashes. He sought treatment at an emergency room in Kentucky on the date of alleged exposure ,and again approximately 10 months later for skin rashes. However, the claimant was able to continue working without any wage loss the entire time.
Successful defense of motion for summary judgment filed by another carrier in a disputed employer/employee issue.
Workers' Compensation
March 1, 2020
The issue involved whether the injured employee was the statutory employee of our client, or of the subcontractor who actually hired him. The injured worker was hired by a subcontractor during the aftermath of the Category 5 storm, Hurricane Michael, that hit near Panama City, Florida on October 10, 2018.
Thought Leadership
Marshall Dennehey Shareholders Recognized as Florida Trend Legal Elite NOTABLE Women Leaders in Law
Premises & Retail Liability
Product Liability
Workers' Compensation
December 2, 2024
Marshall Dennehey is pleased to announce that two of its Florida shareholders, Peggy Smith Bush and Heathe
Viewpoint: Florida’s New Heat Exposure Law May Impact Workers’ Comp
Jacksonville
Workers' Compensation
September 13, 2024
Attorneys Behaving Badly: Sanctions, Attorney’s Fees and Costs in Florida Workers’ Compensation Claims
Jacksonville
Workers' Compensation
September 1, 2023
Key Points: Defense Digest, Vol. 29, No.
Case Law Update for TPD/TTD
Jacksonville
Workers' Compensation
October 23, 2020
Special Alert-COVID-19 and Workers’ Compensation Litigation Update for Florida
Workers' Compensation
June 11, 2020
Many businesses in Florida have now reopened with social distancing guidelines in effect What's Hot in Workers' Comp
Classes/Seminars Taught
Florida's New Rules of Civil Procedure and Impact on Workers' Compensation Claims, The Florida Bar Workers' Compensation Section webinar, September 10, 2025
Legal Updates/Changes Impacting Florida, 2024 Northeast Florida Disability Management Forum, October 4, 2024
Motions to Dismiss and Motions for Summary Final Order, webinar, Florida Bar Workers' Compensation Section, May 8, 2024
Hot Topics for Attorneys, WCI Annual Conference, Orlando, FL, August 22, 2023
Talking About Generations, 2023 International Association of Rehabilitation Professionals Annual Southeast Florida Workers' Compensation Claims Conference, Sunrise, FL, March 10, 2023
Workers' Compensation Law and Ethics Update, Marshall Dennehey webinar, May 13, 2022
Average Weekly Wage and Indemnity Benefits (Other than PTD), Florida Bar Workers' Compensation Forum, April 15, 2021
Pre-Existing Conditions, Major Contributing Cause and Apportionment, Marshall Dennehey webinar, December 3, 2020
Ethical Requirements: Empathy and Ethics in Workers' Compensation, WCCP Annual Holiday Conference, November 18, 2020
How Medical Marijuana Is Impacting Workers’ Compensation, Marshall Dennehey Workers' Compensation Seminar, October 24, 2019
Average Weekly Wage and Indemnity Benefits, Florida Bar Workers' Compensation Forum, April 11, 2019
Roundtable: Don’t Just Roll the Dice - Hot Topics in Evaluating Personal Injury Claims, Marshall Dennehey Florida Claims Symposium - Casino Royale, Tampa, FL, September 20, 2018
Average Weekly Wage and Indemnity Benefits (Other than PTD), 2018 Florida Bar Workers' Compensation Forum, April 13, 2018
Stop Work Orders, Association of Builders and Contractors, Jacksonville, FL, August 2017
Specialty Drugs in Workers' Compensation, The CLM Business and Insurance Workers' Compensation Conference, Chicago, IL, May 2017
Average Weekly Wage and Indemnity Benefits (Other Than PTD), The Florida Bar Workers' Compensation Forum, Orlando, FL, April 2016, April 2017
Recent Changes to Florida Workers' Compensation Law, The CLM, Jacksonville, FL, November 2016
Workers' Compensation Overview, Fidelity National Financial Conference, April 2014
Workers' Compensation In Florida, guest instructor for Florida Coastal School of Law, Contruction Law Class, 2012, 2014
Social Security Disability Appeals, Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, Jacksonville, FL, November 2014
Fundamentals of Workers' Compensation, Sterling Education Seminar, Jacksonville, FL, April 2013
The Medicare Super Lien and Other Liens Simplified, National Business Institute Seminar, Jacksonville, FL, 2013
Case Law Update, IARP, Select Medical Workers' Compensation Roundtable, Florida State Collge of Jacksonville, April 2012
Credit Abuse Resistance Education, Jacksonville Area Legal Aid Seminar, July 2010
