ORLANDO – An Orange County woman alleges a medical facility is attempting to collect a debt from her that should have been billed to workers' compensation insurance.
Rita Elaine Smith filed a complaint on May 30 in the Orange Circuit Court against Florida Hospital medical Group Inc., doing business as Radiology Specialists of Florida, alleging violation of the Florida Consumer Collection Practices Act.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that since April 12, 2016, the defendant has contacted her to collect payments for treatment of her injuries that she suffered while performing her duties as a crossing guard despite the knowledge that the injuries she sustained were covered by workers' compensation.
The plaintiff holds Florida Hospital medical Group Inc. responsible because the defendant allegedly illegally attempted to collect the debt from the plaintiff.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks judgment against defendant for actual, statutory and punitive damages, injunctive relief, attorneys' fees, costs and further relief as the court deems just. She is represented by Brian L. Shrader, Gus M. Centrone and Pamela N. Westfall of Centrone & Shrader PLLC in Tampa.
Orange Circuit Court case number 17-C-6159