2011 Super Lawyers Pro Bono Award
Attorney Profile

H. George Kagan

George Kagan

Miller Kagan Rodriguez & Silver, PL
250 S. Australian Avenue, Suite 1600
West Palm Beach, FL 33401

West Palm Beach

Florida (FL)

Contact Contact H. George Kagan
T: 561-833-1860
F: 561-833-8878

Visit: www.mkrs.com
Practice Areas: Workers' Compensation (60%), Appellate (40%)

Workers' Compensation

Appellate

Profile

EXPERIENCE: 

H. George Kagan, a senior partner practicing in the firm's Palm Beach office, has distinguished himself in the field from early on in his career. He has served as Workers' Compensation Rules Committee Chair and also as Section Chair of the Florida Bar, and as Vice Chair of its inaugural Workers' Compensation Board Certification Committee. He was founder and Editor-in-Chief of the Workers' Compensation News & 440 Report (1985-1993). Mr. Kagan has received Martindale-Hubbell's highest rating for legal ability and ethical standards continuously since 1980, and in 2006, he received a "Ten Year" recognition for his still-continuing inclusion in Best Lawyers in America . Mr. Kagan has been named as among Florida Trend's Legal Elite for his appellate work; designated one of Florida 's "Top Lawyers" by Florida Monthly, and as one of Florida 's Super Lawyers, by Florida Super Lawyers Magazine.

Mr. Kagan is former national Chair of the Workers' Compensation Committee of DRI, The Voice of The Defense Bar, and in his capacity as Chair, originated the National Workers' Compensation Review as part of the annual Workers' Compensation Educational Conference in Florida, attracting attorneys from 37 states in its inaugural year, 2008 . In 2006 and again in 2008, Florida Super Lawyers named him as among the Top 100 Super Lawyers in Florida.

He is particularly proud of having been appointed by the Chief Judge of Florida's 15th Judicial Circuit as his successor as President of the Craig S. Barnard Chapter of the American Inns Of Court, 1994-1995, and of having been selected by Florida's First District Court of Appeal as its district "attorney-representative" to the Conference of State District and Supreme Courts, 1999. As an equity partner with over 3 decades of loyalty to Miller Kagan Rodriguez & Silver, Mr. Kagan is truly an asset to the firm and to his field.

 LANDMARK DECISIONS: Wright v. Uniforms for Industry established in 2000, the constitutionality of the employer's right to terminate all compensation and medical benefits upon a finding of fraud.  Henson v. U.S. Sugar Corporation. In 2002, this Supreme Court case established on behalf of our combined clients ( The American Crop Protection Association; Chemical Manufactures Association; Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association; Florida Fertilizer and Agrichemical Association; Florida Citrus Mutual and Gulf Citrus Growers Association), the "Frye" test as applicable to Florida workers' compensation (as a means of subjecting questionable scientific evidence of causation and the like to a higher standard of scrutiny).   Advanced Masonry v. Molina, 4 so3d 62 (Fla 1st DCA 2009), disqualifying a claimant from PTD benefits where a job was available had he only taken English courses. Perez v. Rooms To Go 997 so 511 (Fla 1st DCA 2008), establishing a one time change in physician is limited to one per accident, not one per specialty.    

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES:  He is immediate past chair of the national Worker's Compensation Committee of DRI: Voice of the Defense Bar, where he inaugurated the National Workers' Compensation Review. In 2010 he was inducted into the American Bar Association's College of Worker's Compensation Lawyers, and his firm, Miller Kagan Rodriguez & Silver was designated in 2010 as one of the nations Best Law Firms by US News and World Report  Member and past chair, Workers' Compensation Section of The Florida Bar Author, Foreword to John Dubreuil's Guide to Florida Workers' Compensation Claims, 2nd, 5th and 6th Edition  The Florida Bar Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Lecturer, Board Certification Seminar Program (2005 to present) FWCI Steering Committee member, Workers' Compensation Educational Conference (1985 to present)  1999 Appointed by Florida's First District Court of Appeal as its attorney-representative at the Conference of State District and Supreme Courts 1996 Member, Workers' Compensation (Board) Certification Grade Review Panel 1994-95 President, American Inns of Court (Palm Beach County Chapter) 1993 Appointed member, Statewide (Judicial) Nominating Commission 1988-90 Vice-Chair (inaugural) Workers' Compensation Board Certification Committee, The Florida Bar 1985-93 Originator and Editor-in-Chief, Workers' Compensation Section, News and Four-Forty Report  1985 Chair, Workers' Compensation Section, The Florida Bar 1984 Chair, Workers' Compensation Rules Committee of The Florida Bar

EXPERIENCE: H. George Kagan, a senior partner practicing in the firm's Palm Beach office, has distinguished himself in the field from early on in his career. He has served as Workers' Compensation Rules Committee Chair and also as Section Chair of the Florida Bar, and as Vice Chair of its inaugural Workers' Compensation Board Certification Committee. He was founder and Editor-in-Chief of the Workers' Compensation News & 440 Report (1985-1993). Mr. Kagan has received Martindale-Hubbell's highest rating for legal ability and ethical standards continuously since 1980, and in 2006, he received a "Ten Year" recognition for his still-continuing inclusion in Best Lawyers in America . Mr. Kagan has been named as among Florida Trend's Legal Elite for his appellate work; designated one of Florida's "Top Lawyers" by Florida Monthly, and as one of Florida's Super Lawyers, by Florida Super Lawyers Magazine.  Mr. Kagan is current national Chair of the Workers' Compensation Committee of DRI, The Voice of The Defense Bar, and in his capacity as Chair, originated the National Workers' Compensation Review as part of the annual Workers' Compensation Educational Conference in Florida, attracting attorneys form 37 states in its inaugural year, 2008 . In 2006 and again in 2008, Florida Super Lawyers named him as among the Top 100 Super Lawyers in Florida.  He is particularly proud of having been appointed by the Chief Judge of Florida's 15th Judicial Circuit as his successor as President of the Craig S. Barnard Chapter of the American Inns Of Court, 1994-1995, and of having been selected by Florida's First District Court of Appeal as its district "attorney-representative" to the Conference of State District and Supreme Courts, 1999. As an equity partner with over 3 decades of loyalty to Miller Kagan Rodriguez & Silver, Mr. Kagan is truly an asset to the firm and to his field.  

LANDMARK DECISIONS: Wright v. Uniforms for Industry established in 2000, the constitutionality of the employer's right to terminate all compensation and medical benefits upon a finding of fraud.  Henson v. U.S. Sugar Corporation. In 2002, this Supreme Court case established on behalf of our combined clients ( The American Crop Protection Association; Chemical Manufactures Association; Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association; Florida Fertilizer and Agrichemical Association; Florida Citrus Mutual and Gulf Citrus Growers Association), the "Frye" test as applicable to Florida workers' compensation (as a means of subjecting questionable scientific evidence of causation and the like to a higher standard of scrutiny).   Advanced Masonry v. Molina, 4 so3d 62 (Fla 1st DCA 2009), disqualifying a claimant from PTD benefits where a job was available had he only taken English courses. Perez v. Rooms To Go 997 so 511 (Fla 1st DCA 2008), establishing a one time change in physician is limited to one per accident, not one per specialty.    

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES He is a past chair of the national Worker's Compensation Committee of DRI: Voice of the Defense Bar, where he inaugurated the National Workers' Compensation Review. In 2010 he was inducted into the American Bar Association's College of Worker's Compensation Lawyers, and his firm, Miller Kagan Rodriguez & Silver was designated in 2010 as one of the nations Best Law Firms by US News and World Report.  Member and past chair, Workers' Compensation Section of The Florida Bar Author, Foreword to John Dubreuil's Guide to Florida Workers' Compensation Claims, 2nd, 5th and 6th Edition  The Florida Bar Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Lecturer, Board Certification Seminar Program (2005 to present) FWCI Steering Committee member, Workers' Compensation Educational Conference (1985 to present)  1999 Appointed by Florida's First District Court of Appeal as its attorney-representative at the Conference of State District and Supreme Courts 1996 Member, Workers' Compensation (Board) Certification Grade Review Panel 1994-95 President, American Inns of Court (Palm Beach County Chapter) 1993 Appointed member, Statewide (Judicial) Nominating Commission 1988-90 Vice-Chair (inaugural) Workers' Compensation Board Certification Committee, The Florida Bar 1985-93 Originator and Editor-in-Chief, Workers' Compensation Section, News and Four-Forty Report  1985 Chair, Workers' Compensation Section, The Florida Bar 1984 Chair, Workers' Compensation Rules Committee of The Florida Bar.

Selected To

Florida Super Lawyers 2011
Florida Super Lawyers 2010
Florida Super Lawyers 2009
Florida Super Lawyers 2008
Florida Super Lawyers 2007
Florida Super Lawyers 2006

Certifications and Credentials

Florida Bar Board Certified — Workers' Compensation

About George Kagan

Admitted: 1975, Florida

Professional Webpage: www.mkrs.com/H_George_Kagan.asp

Honors and Awards:

  • ranked for over 27 years with the highest rating for legal ability and ethical             standards by the prestigious Martindale-Hubbell
  • Corporate Counsel Magazines' Best Lawyers 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
  • Leading Florida Attorney by American Research Corporation
  • Recipient of W. L. "Bud" Adams Award
  • 1994 Friends of 440 Honoree
  • 1994 - Present Best Lawyers in America, Including recipient of its "Ten Years"             continuous inclusion acknowledgment
  • Florida Trend's Legal Elite Appellate Practice 2004
  • Florida Monthly: Florida's Top Lawyers 2004
  • Past chair of the national Worker's Compensation Committee of DRI: Voice of the Defense Bar, where he inaugurated the National Workers' Compensation Review, 2010
  • Miller Kagan Rodriguez & Silver was designated in 2010 as one of the nations Best Law Firms by US News and World Report, 2010
  • Inducted into the American Bar Association's College of Worker's Compensation Lawyers, 2010

Special Licenses/Certifications:

  • 1988 Board Certified Workers' Compensation Specialist, Florida Bar
  • Board Certified Workers' Compensation Attorney

Bar/Professional Activity:

  • 1975 Florida State Bar Association
  • 1980 U.S. Supreme Court
  • 1981 U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit

Scholarly Lectures and Writings:

  • He recently spoke (2008) at National DRI's Trucking Conference in Scottsdale, Arizona.
  • Mr. Kagan is also a featured speaker at multiple presentations of the WCCP, including the annual Claims Manager's Conference.
  • He has served as the Moderator for Florida Workers' Compensation Educational Conference's "Main Event", The Case Law Update (1994-2005).
  • Mr. Kagan speaks annually on behalf of The Florida Bar at the workers' compensation certification review course and is a Bar approved CLE instructor.
  • Accredited Continued Education Units (CEU) speaker
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