The Florida workers compensation case of Ralph Williams, Jr. v. Waste Management of Orlando and Gallagher Bassett Services regarded a violent incident between two employees. The claimant was shot in an altercation with a coworker, and was diagnosed with post traumatic stress syndrome and major depressive disorder without an MMI.
The E/C denied compensation on the basis of fraud and misrepresentation. They claimed that the claimant was the aggressor in the incident, referencing the evidence that they were in possession of a screwdriver. The claimant was not required to defend his possession of a screwdriver, as this was a workers compensation case, not a criminal defense case.
Compensation and psychiatric care GRANTED; Defense of misrepresentation DENIED; TTD benefits GRANTED; Attorney’s fees GRANTED