Attorney Profile
Linda Wagner Farrell
Areas of Practice
Contact Info
Overview
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.
Results
Obtained a defense verdict in a Final Compensation Order involving 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/carrier on all Petitions finding compensability was previously resolved and the ongoing issues were moot.
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.
Thought Leadership
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
“Ex Parte Doctor Conferences Cannot Suggest, Direct or Instruct What Treatment or Care to Recommend,” Defense Digest, Vol. 25, No. 1, March 2019
Case Law Alerts, contributor, April 2018-present
What's Hot in Workers' Comp, contributor, March 2018-present
“Florida OIR Orders Larger Workers’ Comp Rate Cut of 6.6%,” AM Best BestWire, November 10, 2020