Joseph Coughlan
Coughlan's Law, PLLC.
First and foremost, I’m a regular Joe, just like anybody else.
I know what it’s like to deal with insurance companies when a loved one is suffering through expensive medical treatments. When I was growing up, my sister battled a serious illness, and my family had to fight constantly to get her the treatment and benefits she deserved.
No stranger to hard work, standing up for those in need, and giving back to the community, I spent over a decade working in and operating group homes for developmentally disabled adults and children before law school.
While attending Florida A & M University College of Law in Orlando, Florida, I proudly served as Business Managing Editor for Law Review and Student President of Stonewall LGBTQA Association. My summers were spent interning for Orange County Public Schools and local personal injury attorneys. Preparing to enter the legal practice in my final year, I clerked with the Office of the Judges of Compensation Claims.
After graduating with honors, I began working with insurance defense firms. It was a great starting place where I gained valuable experience. But, I had enough of the unfairness I saw coming from insurance companies and the ways they treat good everyday people. I made it a point to go out on my own to represent the underdog. People like my sister. People like us. The people who deserve it most.
- Workers' Compensation
- Personal Injury
- Animal & Dog Bites, Brain Injury, Car Accidents, Construction Accidents, Motorcycle Accidents, Premises Liability, Truck Accidents, Wrongful Death
- Free Consultation
- Contingent Fees
- Florida
- The Florida Bar
- ID Number: 117497
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- Attorney
- Coughlan's Law, PLLC.
- - Current
- Attorney
- Gee & Lee, PLLC.
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- Plaintiff's attorney focusing on personal injury and workers' compensation claims.
- Attorney
- Cole, Scott & Kissane, P.A.
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- Attorney focusing on the defense of workers' compensation claims.
- Attorney
- Thorne & Associates, P.A.
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- Attorney focusing on the defense of workers' compensation claims.
- Interning Law Clerk
- Office of the Judges of Compensation Claims
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- Legal intern observing mediation and courtroom events for workers' compensation claims within the Orlando Division of the Office of the Judges of Compensation Claims.
- Legal Assistant
- Fulmer LeRoy & Albee, PLLC.
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- Assisted in obtaining discovery, drafted medical summaries, and compiled workers' compensation case files for the defense of claims.
- Legal Intern (Summer)
- Orange County Public Schools
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- Reviewed formal complaints and supporting documents for the compilation of case files for the defense of EEOC and Title VII discrimination claims.
- Legal Intern (Summer)
- Troutman, Williams, Irvin, Green, Helms & Polich, P.A.
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- Summer intern at plaintiff's personal injury law firm. Assisted in obtaining discovery and compilation of case files for the prosecution of claims.
- Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University
- J.D. (2015)
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- Honors: Graduated cum laude top 10% Academic Merit Scholarship Award (2013-2015)
- Activities: Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity (2012-2015) George C. Young American Inn of Court (Student Member 2013-2015) Law Review (Staff Editor 2013-2014) Law Review (Business Managing Editor 2014-2015) Stonewall LGBTQ Student Association (President 2014-2015) Central Florida Gay & Lesbian Law Association (Student Memeber 2014-2015)
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- The Florida Bar # 0117497
- Member
- Current
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- Website
- Website
- Q. I am the executor and one of two beneficiaries. The other beneficiary is uncooperative and threatening.
- A: What you are describing sounds to be a formal administration as the estate assets are over $75,000.00. If this is accurate, you need to be appointed as personal representative and need an attorney. Florida Probate Rule 5.030(a) requires every personal representative of an estate with more than 1 beneficiary to be represented by an attorney. It is best to reach out to a qualified attorney now to prevent undue delay, excessive costs, and possible sanctions by the Court.
- Q. I am on salary at 1800 for two weeks. If I started a job on Wednesday, should my pay be 1100 or the full 1800
- A: It is likely closer to the $1,100.00 and not the $1,800.00.
There are a few ways to calculate you lost wages under workers' compensation. First is setting your average weekly wage (AWW). To do that, your earnings during the prior 13 weeks could be used. It sounds like you just started the job when the accident occurred and so your contract of hire could be used. Using $1,800 for two weeks, your average weekly wage would be $900.00.
The next step is to calculate your compensation rate. Which is the amount you are entitled to as actual payment. There are two base rates. One is for periods of time in which a doctor has placed you on a no-work status and it is called temporary total disability ... Read More
- Q. Can I sue my employer for causing me to get yeast infections?
- A: In theory, yes. Essentially, you would be seeking medical or lost wage benefits. Damages such as pain and suffering are not available in Florida Workers' Compensation cases. However, it may be difficult to meet the standard of proof required by Florida Workers' Compensation law. The type of condition you describe (Candidiasis) is not the result of an actual accident but more along the lines of exposure or repetitive trauma. Such cases require clear and convincing evidence that the condition resulted from employment duties as opposed to all other possible causes. I recommend reaching out to an experienced workers' compensation attorney to discuss the finer details and requirements ... Read More
