Linda practices exclusively in the area of workers' compensation defense. As an advocate for her clients, Linda not only defends insurance carriers and self-insured employers in workers’ compensation matters, but also provides guidance for implementing effective risk management strategies and workers’ compensation programs with an eye toward cost efficiency. When businesses are audited by the State for workers' compensation coverage compliance or subject to stop-work orders, Linda partners with them to develop a strategic defense approach. She also assists clients with premium disputes and some employment matters, and also represents uninsured employers with regard to workers' compensation claims.
Linda is an active instructor who lectures on various issues involving workers' compensation. She has lectured on behalf of the Workers' Compensation Section of The Jacksonville Bar Association, Lorman Education Services and AAA Construction School. She is also a Certified Instructor of Insurance Education, State of Florida, and often presents seminars to clients. Linda also speaks regularly for the Workers’ Compensation Claims Professionals organization.
Prior to joining Marshall Dennehey, Linda was the workers' compensation practice group leader at one of the leading defense firms in the southeast. Linda has been awarded an AV Preeminent rating by Martindale-Hubbell, the highest rating for professional competence.
Linda is a native of Jacksonville. Before entering law school, she worked as a business consultant for a national management company.
Honors & awards
AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell
Florida Super Lawyers Rising Star
2011, 2013-2014
Florida Trend Magazine 'Legal Elite Up and Coming'
2007-2008
Jacksonville Women Lawyers Association, Woman of the Year
2008
904 Magazine “Legal Eagle,” Workers’ Compensation
December 2011
Year joined
2018
Results
Exceptional Advocacy Leads to Indemnification Win
Workers' Compensation
September 12, 2025
We were successful in having a motion for indemnification granted. Our client’s subcontractor did not secure workers’ compensation coverage as required by the statute. Therefore, our client-the contractor-became the statutory employer and accepted the claim as compensable, providing medical and indemnity benefits and reaching a settlement compromise with the injured worker. We filed a motion for indemnification, requesting that the subcontractor be ordered to reimburse our client for all monies paid on the claim.
Successfully contested claimant’s request for authorization for a van with a wheelchair lift, arguing its medical necessity
Workers' Compensation
February 12, 2025
We successfully contested a claimant’s request for authorization for a van equipped with a wheelchair lift, arguing it was not a medical necessity following a work-related injury. Testimony revealed the claimant’s significant mobility challenges were due to a work-related traumatic brain injury and spastic hemiplegia. However, the employer/carrier contested the request, asserting it was neither reasonable nor medically necessary based on the authorized treating physician’s assessment.
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.
Successful Defense of PTD Benefits and More in Florida.
Workers' Compensation
April 11, 2019
We successfully defended a petition for permanent total disability benefits, supplemental benefits and penalties, interest, costs and attorneys fees. The judge entered a Final Compensation Order, finding the claimant was not permanently and totally disabled despite a substantial, but not exhaustive, job search.
Defense Verdict in Final Compensation Order
Workers' Compensation
January 17, 2019
The order involved multiple petitions filed by a pro se claimant for compensability of contact dermatitis and concrete burns allegedly sustained while working. The judge ruled in favor of the employer on all petitions, finding compensability was previously resolved and the ongoing issues were moot. The judge denied and dismissed, with prejudice, claims for temporary total and temporary partial disability benefits, authorization of medical care, and all corresponding penalties and interest.
Thought Leadership
Judge of Compensation Claims abused his discretion in denying a motion to continue a final hearing when the reasoning behind the request was out of the appellant’s control.
Jacksonville
Workers' Compensation
January 1, 2025
The claimant, a cashier, was shocked while plugging in a register at work. She later developed neurofibromatosis that lead to surgery. The neurosurgeon, Dr. Levi, performed surgery and indicated the claimant’s condition was not work-related. What’s Hot in Workers’ Comp, Vol. 29, No.
TOP 10 DEVELOPMENTS IN FLORIDA WORKERS’ COMPENSATION IN 2024
Jacksonville
Workers' Compensation
December 1, 2024
1. As the employer/carrier was not able to overcome presumption, a firefighter’s COVID-19, requiring heart transplant, was found to be work-related. What’s Hot in Workers’ Comp, Vol. 28, No.
Once again, sufficient compliance with the drug-free workplace policy rules by employers and medical review officers is not enough.
Jacksonville
Workers' Compensation
November 1, 2024
The claimant suffered a back injury, which he reported immediately to his supervisor. He was sent for a post-accident drug test and tested positive for THC. What’s Hot in Workers’ Comp, Vol. 28, No.
Prescription Disputes Remain under the Exclusive Jurisdiction of the Florida Dept. of Financial Services
Jacksonville
Workers' Compensation
October 11, 2024
Rite Rx Pharmacy Corp. v. Packard Claims Administration, Inc., 17th Judicial Circuit, Broward County, Florida, Case No. CACE21000476 What’s Hot in Workers’ Comp - Special FL Alert - October 11, 2024,
Essential hypertension without evidence of disability did not meet the presumption of compensability under the Heart/Lung Bill, Fla. Stat. 112.18(1).
Jacksonville
Workers' Compensation
September 1, 2024
The claimant, a police officer, was hired on July 28, 1997, and had a pre-employment physical that was negative for hypertension. On October 7, 2021, the claimant reported to work but was not feeling well. What’s Hot in Workers’ Comp, Vol. 28, No.
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
Panelist, Florida Office of Judges of Compensation Claims' OJCC Work Comp Academy, October 18, 2024
Medical Marijuana - Workers’ Compensation, 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
Work Comp Academy 2023 - The Next Generation, The Office of Judges of Compensation Claims, faculty member, May 19, 2023
A State-By-State Guide to Avoiding Attorneys' Fees and Sanctions, Marshall Dennehey Workers' Compensation Seminar, October 27, 2022
Workers' Compensation Law and Ethics Update, Marshall Dennehey webinar, May 13, 2022
Pre-Existing Conditions, Major Contributing Cause and Apportionment, Marshall Dennehey webinar, December 3, 2020
Pre-Existing Conditions, Major Contributing Cause and Apportionment, Marshall Dennehey webinar, November 5, 2020
Opioids...The Not So New Epidemic, Workers' Compensation Claims Professionals Annual Claims & Leadership Conferece, June 10, 2019
Opioids in Workers’ Compensation, Florida Bar Workers' Compensation Forum, April 12, 2019
Opioids...The not so New Epidemic, Workers' Compensation Claims Professionals Holiday Conference, December 13, 2018
Top 5 Challenges Relative to Workers' Compensation Claims, Property and Casualty Claims and For Mediators, FCCI Educational Conference, October 2018
Medical Marijuana in Workers’ Compensation, 2018 Florida Bar Workers' Compensation Forum, April 13, 2018
Media Commentary
“Florida OIR Orders Larger Workers’ Comp Rate Cut of 6.6%,” AM Best BestWire, November 10, 2020
