Rafael GonzalezEsq

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Rafael GonzalezEsq

Medicare Secondary Payer Lawyer at Cattie & Gonzalez and Cohost of Deconstructing Comp Podcast

08/20/2026

Incredibly excited to attend and be a part of my 39th Compensation Institute Educational Conference!

There is nothing like it in our industry! No other conference or educational event comes close to the number of attendees, quality of programs, and social opportunities available during its 5 days.

It is easy to take it for granted, and assume that all of this happens by itself. It doesn't! Not by a long shot. There is an entire army of volunteers who make this special event happen year in and year out.

Although too many to mention here and give them the credit they deserve, please make it a point to thank each member of the WCI Board of Advisors, Breakout Session Organizers, Spirit to Serve Committee, and Speakers and Presenters.

Grateful for each and everyone of these folks. Thankful for their commitment, dedication, and amazing work in putting together "the greatest work comp show on earth."

08/19/2026

Grateful and humbled by once again being invited to be a part of the 2026 Florida OJCC Scholars Program at the Compensation Institute Educational Conference on Tuesday, August 25, 2026 from 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm.

Looking forward to sharing the stage with the Hon. Dave Langham, the Hon. Tim Connor, and the Hon. Jonathan Walker, as we provide an introduction to the workers compensation system to the latest chosen OJCC Scholar Program class.

The Florida OJCC Scholar Program is a nine-month professional development curriculum run by Florida's Office of Judges of Compensation Claims (OJCC). It targets newer or mid-career lawyers handling workers' compensation cases, offering advanced training on litigation, judicial ethics, and system history.

Launched in August 2024, this year's program will once again focus on tools needed for prosecuting and defending worker compensation claims. As in the past 2 years, a small group of industry professionals nominated by a JCC will participate in virtual sessions, and in-person events led by judges and veteran attorneys for nine months, concluding with graduation at the annual The Florida Bar Workers’ Compensation Forum.

08/19/2026

Hope you can join us at the 2nd Annual Crash Course in Workers Compensation at the Compensation Institute Educational Conference on Monday, August 24, 2026 from 1:00 pm to 4:15 pm.

Wilson, Jones, Colburn, and Pew from 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm for Workers’ Comp 101: Everything They Forgot to Tell You When You Got Hired.

Gonzalez, Rassp, Rosenthal, and Benton, from 2:10 pm – 3:10 pm for It’s COMPlicated!

Guibert, Kunica, Luna, Curtis, and Chmiel from 3:15 pm – 4:15 pm for YOU Are the Most Powerful Variable in a Claims Outcome.

08/19/2026

Hope you can join us at the 80th Annual WCI Educational Conference's Professional Mediation Institute on Monday, August 24, 2026, from 11:00 am – 12:40 pm for
Practical Medicare Claims Strategies – what to know to keep compliant, reduce costs, and settle claims.

Popolizio and Gonzalez are back to educate and demystify Medicare compliance using real life case squibs to help practitioners identify the issues, understand their compliance obligations, and navigate CMS’ process to minimize client liability, including potential Section 111 penalties, Treasury Actions, “double damages” lawsuits, potential loss of claimant benefits.

This interactive session will include focus on new CMS updates directly impacting
WC claims, including CMS’s new TPOC/WCMSA reporting rules and $0 WCMSAs,
along with how Section 111 reporting impacts claims, Medicare and Medicare
Advantage lien claims, and MSA cost reduction.

Whether a claimant attorney, defense counsel, state or private mediator, or an adjuster handling files with Medicare beneficiaries, everyone should attend this program to learn valuable steps to help keep themselves and their clients out of trouble with CMS, reduce costs, and settle claims.

08/14/2026

Deconstruction Comp is on YouTube!

Did you know is on YouTube?

Yes, you can now not only listen to us, but you can watch us too! Come see and hear all the laughter, all the learning, and all the shenanigans!

Episode 1 with Guibert and Gonzalez Esq
Episode 2 with Boyd
Episode 3 with Hamlin CCP
Episode 4 with Rivera
Episode 5 with Anbar and . Ramsey Ali, Ph.D.
Episode 6 with @⚖️John V. Cattie, Jr.
Episode 7 with Lore
Episode 8 with Brennan
Episode 9 with Avina, MBA
Episode 10 with Chmiel
Episode 11 with Arnold
Episode 12 with Dulich
Episode 13 with McConnell
Episode 14 with Mills

https://www.youtube.com/

08/14/2026

Deconstructing Comp's Latest Episode: Empathy as Infrastructure with Andrea Mills!

In our latest episode, and sit down with , President of Ametros. Andrea brings nearly 20 years in the workers’ compensation industry, 8+ years with Ametros, as she leads the largest professional administration company in the workers’ comp space, serving both workers’ comp and liability cases.

https://www.buzzsprout.com/1771455/episodes/19593678
https://deconstructingcomp.substack.com/p/new-episode-empathy-as-infrastructure
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gb0Y6Ame8bk

08/14/2026

Yvonne and Rafael Podcasting Live Again at WCI!

For the 6th year, and of will once again be podcasting live at the 80th Annual Educational Conference.

On Sunday August 23, 2026 from 8 AM to 10 AM, we will be podcasting live from the 6th Annual Golf Tournament at the beautiful , and again from 12 PM to 2 PM at the WCI Conference Multi-Media Center.

Come join us at Live Podcast Experience!

08/14/2026

Crash Course In Workers’ Compensation at WCI!

After a successful debut in 2025, this foundational breakout returns for professionals new to workers’ compensation who want a strong introduction to this specialized line of insurance.

Workers' Comp 101: Everything They Forgot to Tell You When You Got Hired
August 24, 2026
1:00 – 2:00 PM
Magnolia Ballrooms 7-9

Join as they take new industry professionals back to the beginning — the "grand bargain" that traded workers' lawsuit rights for guaranteed benefits, the progressive-era political forces that pushed reform state by state, and why the system was designed the way it was. Understanding where workers' comp came from isn't just a history lesson — it's the key to understanding everything about how the system behaves today, and why your role in it matters.

It's COMPlicated!
August 24, 2026
2:10 – 3:10 PM
Magnolia Ballrooms 7-9

Join as they dive into 51 separate state systems—one for each state plus Washington, D.C., and 5 separate federal systems. This session brings together experienced professionals from the legal, medical, and claims arenas to explore why these systems differ and how those differences impact the way claims are managed across the country. The panel will examine key variations, including how claims are deemed compensable, how benefits are structured, and how care is delivered.

YOU Are the Most Powerful Variable in a Claims Outcome
August 24, 2026
3:15 – 4:15 PM
Magnolia Ballrooms 7-9

Join as they explore the human side of Workers' Compensation. What if the most powerful variable in a claim's outcome is you? Every claim starts with a phone call. On the other end is a human being — scared, in pain, and wondering if anyone cares. How you show up in that moment determines everything that follows. In this session, you'll hear from someone who lived it as an injured worker, someone who was transformed by it as a first-week adjuster, and someone who works at an organization that built an entire culture around getting it right.

08/13/2026

Compliance Exposure in Undocumented Worker Cases at Elevate!

Join on Wednesday, September 23, 2026 from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM for a discussion of issues, challenges, and concerns undocumented workers present in workers compensation claims.

https://elevateworkcomp.com/session/compliance-under-pressure-compliance-exposure-in-undocumented-worker-cases/

Address

Tampa, FL

Website

http://www.cattielaw.com/

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