Turner O'Connor Kozlowski, P.L.

Attorneys serving Gainesville and north central Florida

  • Meet our Team
    • About Us
    • Larry Gibbs Turner
    • Peg O’Connor
    • Ron Kozlowski
    • Caleb Kenyon
  • Areas of Practice
    • Criminal Defense
    • Professional Licensing and Tenure Defense
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Rehabbing the IRF Prospective Payment System

September 3, 2019 by Peg O'Connor

September 3, 2019

The final version of CMS-1710, “Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility Prospective Payment System for Federal Fiscal Year 2020 and Updates to the IRF Quality Reporting Program,” was published in August and will go into effect October 1, 2019.  The final rule updates the payment rates for IRFs for the year 2020 based on a 2016 base year instead of the previous 2012 base year.  The proposed rule considered using a weighted motor score to assign patients to IRF PPS’s case-mix groups; however, the final rule adopted an unweighted motor score based on public comments and removes one of the items considered in the motor score.

Like the proposed rule, the final rule updates the IRF wage index and amends the regulations at 42 CFR 412.622 to clarify that the determination as to whether a physician qualifies as a rehabilitation physician . . . is made by the IRF.

The CMS website includes helpful info to accompany the rule, including wage index tables and the actual data for each of the 1,122 inpatient rehab facilities used to estimate the policy updates. 

The attorneys at Turner O’Connor Kozlowski, P.L. are equipped to help you manage all legal aspects of your healthcare practice. Call us at (352) 372-4263 for more info.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Restoration of Felon Rights

August 20, 2019 by Caleb Kenyon

August 20, 2019

Florida voters passed a constitutional amendment to restore rights to felons. Article VI, Section 4(a) of the Florida Constitution reads:

“No person convicted of a felony, or adjudicated in this or any other state to be mentally incompetent, shall be qualified to vote or hold office until restoration of civil rights or removal of disability. Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, any disqualification from voting arising from a felony conviction shall terminate and voting rights shall be restored upon completion of all terms of sentence including parole or probation.”

Senate Bill 7066, which was signed into law by Governor DeSantis, defines the phrase “completion of all terms of sentence.” This definition is expansive, containing voluminous subsections. Notably, though, it specifies that all monetary fines must be satisfied to qualify for restoration of rights.

The law further says that if a felon has his outstanding fines converted into a civil lien, that too prevents qualifying for restoration. There is, however, a part of the law that says “A term required to be completed in accordance with this paragraph shall be deemed completed if the court modifies the original sentencing order to no longer require completion of such term.”

This simply means, if there are still outstanding monetary obligations associated with a felony conviction, rights won’t be restored. But, if a judge modifies the underlying obligations and removes them from the sentence, a felon may qualify for restoration of rights without having to pay.

The criminal defense lawyers at Turner O’Connor Kozlowski, P.L. can help if you are seeking to have your rights restored.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Marijuana Arrests and Prosecutions Halted

August 7, 2019 by Ron Kozlowski

August 1, 2019

Hemp is legal in Florida as of July 1. Because of the plant’s close relationship to marijuana, law enforcement agencies and prosecutors throughout Florida are declining to arrest or prosecute marijuana possession. Gainesville is the latest area to formally decline marijuana cases.

The only practical way to distinguish legal hemp from illicit marijuana is through testing to determine the level of THC. Because such testing equipment is difficult to obtain, and not necessarily accepted by courts, prosecutors believe they cannot obtain convictions. Without that confidence, there is no point in filing charges or even arresting a possible offender.

A secondary and probably unanticipated effect of hemp legalization is that a time-worn law enforcement tool for obtaining evidence may no longer be valid. For years, courts have permitted searches based on the odor of cannabis. Searches based on that odor sometimes lead to stolen credit cards, firearms, or other drugs. Now, because that odor could well be hemp, officers are being told they can use smell as a basis for a warrantless search only if there is another indicator of illegal activity present. This change has the potential to tie an officer’s hands when there is a strong suspicion of a crime but nothing in particular to point to.

Not every agency or jurisdiction has adopted these new policies, and the courts eventually will have to sort out the requirements under the changing law. But for now, people arrested after July 1 may have new avenues of defense.

The criminal defense lawyers at Turner O’Connor Kozlowski, P.L. can help if you have been arrested for a marijuana charge or a different crime that involved a search based on marijuana odor.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

2019 Healthcare Legislative Updates

July 26, 2019 by Peg O'Connor

July 25, 2019

The 2019 session was an active one for the Florida Legislature.  Here’s a quick rundown of what you need to know that affects your practice.

HB 19:  Prescription Drug Importation Programs

Two new programs were created to establish a safe method of importing Rx drugs into the state.  First, the Canadian Importation Program requires AHCA to contract with a vendor to identify compliant Canadian suppliers who have agreed to export particular drugs at prices that will save the state money.  Among the excluded classes of drugs are controlled substances; biological products; infused drugs; IV drugs; inhalants; and parenterals.

The International Prescription Drug Importation Program requires foreign pharmacies to maintain active licenses in their home countries and to apply for an international export pharmacy permit.  Both programs include bond requirements and are contingent upon federal approval.  Fees are set under new section 465.0157(4).

HB 451:  Nonopioid Alternatives

DOH will be required to create and host on its website a pamphlet providing information on alternatives to opioids for the management of pain, including the pros and cons of those alternatives.  Additionally, you must now inform your patients before administering anesthesia or opioids (except in emergency situations) that opioid alternatives are available and must discuss the pros and cons with them, including their personal risk factors, and hand them a copy of the pamphlet.  When that pamphlet is available, we’ll post an update here.

HB 851:  Human Trafficking

If you hold your license under Florida Statutes chapter 457, 458, 459, 460, 461, 463, 465, 466, parts of 468, 480, or 486, you must now take a 1-hour continuing ed course on human trafficking. 

If you are a massage therapist and own a clinic or establishment, you must appoint a manager to be responsible for compliance.  DOH must now deny establishment licensing if the owner or manager has been convicted of a prostitution-related offense.  There are a few other requirements relating specifically to massage therapists, so check it out here.

SB 182:  Medical Marijuana

This bill contains a lot of important information; call us if you certify patients in your practice and need more detailed information.  Perhaps most importantly, the term “medical use” now includes smoking.  However, there are restrictions on where it can be smoked, and the consent form must include reference to the negative health risks of smoking marijuana.  You are limited in the amount you can certify (no more than three 70-day supply limits or six 35-day supply limits in smokable form).  You can request an exception if warranted.

SB 732:  Surgery Centers

DOH must issue ESOs (emergency suspension or restriction orders) if probable cause is found that an office or physician is not compliant with office-surgery standards.  With regard to liposuction, you must register your office if you conduct procedures in which more than 1,000 cc’s of supernatant fat is removed.

SB 1418:  Mental Health

Mental health providers, listen up:  If a patient communicates to you a specific threat to cause serious bodily injury or death to someone, and if you reasonably believe (or should reasonably believe) that the patient has the apparent intent and ability to carry out that threat, your clinical records must be released to the extent necessary to give law enforcement sufficient information to take action.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Will Texting and Driving Send You to Jail?

May 1, 2019 by Caleb Kenyon

May 1, 2019

Only a signature from Gov. Ron DeSantis is needed before it becomes a primary offense in Florida to text while driving. Right now, you can be ticketed for texting if you are caught violating another traffic law. If the governor signs a bill that now has passed the legislature, that will change.

In anticipation of the bill becoming law, the Tampa Bay Times has published a list of what you need to know about the texting and driving prohibition. You can read it here: https://www.tampabay.com/florida/2019/04/25/five-things-to-know-about-texting-while-driving-legislation-in-florida/

The Gainesville criminal defense lawyers at Turner O’Connor Kozlowski have more than 75 years combined experience helping residents of north central Florida charged with traffic violations, misdemeanors, and felonies. Contact us if you find yourself accused of a crime.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

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The cream of the crop in Gainesville

I practice exclusively in the civil arena. I do no criminal defense or professional license defense work whatsoever and refer all of my clients to other attorneys for these needs. Ron Kozlowski and his partners are my first choice for these referrals. They are the cream of the crop in Gainesville: the finest defense attorneys I know.

Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review of Ron Kozlowski

5.0
2018-08-24T15:47:53+00:00

Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review of Ron Kozlowski

I practice exclusively in the civil arena. I do no criminal defense or professional license defense work whatsoever and refer all of my clients to other attorneys for these needs. Ron Kozlowski and his partners are my first choice for these referrals. They are the cream of the crop in Gainesville: the finest defense attorneys I know.
https://toklegal.com/testimonials/happy-client/

Practices law at the highest standards

Peg O'Connor is a conscientious lawyer who practices law at the highest standards.

Martindale-Hubbell Peer review of Peg O'Connor

5.0
2019-01-17T16:40:01+00:00

Martindale-Hubbell Peer review of Peg O'Connor

Peg O'Connor is a conscientious lawyer who practices law at the highest standards.
https://toklegal.com/testimonials/practices-law-at-the-highest-standards/

Great mind. Great writer. Great lawyer.


Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review of Ron Kozlowski

5.0
2018-09-12T14:41:54+00:00

Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review of Ron Kozlowski

https://toklegal.com/testimonials/great-mind-great-writer-great-lawyer/

Extremely knowledgeable and approachable

Peg O'Connor is extremely knowledgeable and approachable. She has excellent rapport with clients, is respectful of the all participants in the process, and is resolution oriented.

Martindale-Hubbell Peer review of Peg O'Connor

5.0
2019-01-17T16:40:55+00:00

Martindale-Hubbell Peer review of Peg O'Connor

Peg O'Connor is extremely knowledgeable and approachable. She has excellent rapport with clients, is respectful of the all participants in the process, and is resolution oriented.
https://toklegal.com/testimonials/extremely-knowledgeable-and-approachable/

Larry Turner is one of the most honorable and decent human beings I know

Larry Turner is one of the most honorable and decent human beings I know. If ever there was an AV attorney- it would be Larry Turner. I have known Mr. Turner for over 35 years and he has never conducted himself in any other manner than as I have described. I have practiced against him when I as an Assistant State Attorney for the 8th Judicial Circuit for the State of Florida, as co-counsel with him, and tried a 4 month trial in his court while he served as a Circuit Court Judge.

Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review of Larry Turner

5.0
2018-09-12T14:46:16+00:00

Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review of Larry Turner

Larry Turner is one of the most honorable and decent human beings I know. If ever there was an AV attorney- it would be Larry Turner. I have known Mr. Turner for over 35 years and he has never conducted himself in any other manner than as I have described. I have practiced against him when I as an Assistant State Attorney for the 8th Judicial Circuit for the State of Florida, as co-counsel with him, and tried a 4 month trial in his court while he served as a Circuit Court Judge.
https://toklegal.com/testimonials/larry-turner-is-one-of-the-most-honorable-and-decent-human-beings-i-know/

Highly ethical

Peg is a tremendous legal thinker and applies her intellect to every area of practice. She is highly ethical and a tremendous colleague.

Martindale-Hubbell Peer review of Peg O'Connor

5.0
2019-01-17T16:42:14+00:00

Martindale-Hubbell Peer review of Peg O'Connor

Peg is a tremendous legal thinker and applies her intellect to every area of practice. She is highly ethical and a tremendous colleague.
https://toklegal.com/testimonials/highly-ethical/

A superb lawyer in and out of the court room

Larry Turner is a superb lawyer in and out of the court room. I can find no fault with Larry as a human being and a lawyer. He mixes the two gifts.

Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review of Larry Turner

5.0
2018-09-12T15:31:46+00:00

Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review of Larry Turner

Larry Turner is a superb lawyer in and out of the court room. I can find no fault with Larry as a human being and a lawyer. He mixes the two gifts.
https://toklegal.com/testimonials/a-superb-lawyer-in-and-out-of-the-court-room/

Zealously defends her clients

Ms. O'Connor is a skilled writer and legal thinker. She zealously defends her clients.

Martindale-Hubbell Peer review of Peg O'Connor

5.0
2019-01-17T16:42:59+00:00

Martindale-Hubbell Peer review of Peg O'Connor

Ms. O'Connor is a skilled writer and legal thinker. She zealously defends her clients.
https://toklegal.com/testimonials/zealously-defends-her-clients/

Excellent Experience & Quick Dismissal

I had a terrific experience working with Caleb Kenyon. We were able to wrap up the case within 2 weeks of hiring. He was very pleasant to communicate with as well and very helpful in walking me through the process. I highly suggest Mr. Kenyon for counsel on criminal matters.

Review from Avvo.com of Caleb Kenyon

Prospective clients may not obtain the same or similar results

5.0
2018-09-12T15:34:57+00:00

Review from Avvo.com of Caleb Kenyon

Prospective clients may not obtain the same or similar results

I had a terrific experience working with Caleb Kenyon. We were able to wrap up the case within 2 weeks of hiring. He was very pleasant to communicate with as well and very helpful in walking me through the process. I highly suggest Mr. Kenyon for counsel on criminal matters.
https://toklegal.com/testimonials/terrific-experience-working-with-caleb-kenyon/

Outstanding legal skills

Ms. O'Connor is an attorney with substantial integrity and outstanding legal skills.

Martindale-Hubbell Peer review of Peg O'Connor

2019-01-17T16:43:27+00:00

Martindale-Hubbell Peer review of Peg O'Connor

Ms. O'Connor is an attorney with substantial integrity and outstanding legal skills.
https://toklegal.com/testimonials/outstanding-legal-skills/

Excellent attorney with high standards

Ms. O'Connor is an excellent attorney with high standards, excellent analytical abilities with an ability to communicate clearly and effectively. She is also willing to think outside the box to achieve a goal or find a solution to a problem.

Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review of Peg O'Connor

5.0
2018-09-12T16:07:08+00:00

Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review of Peg O'Connor

Ms. O'Connor is an excellent attorney with high standards, excellent analytical abilities with an ability to communicate clearly and effectively. She is also willing to think outside the box to achieve a goal or find a solution to a problem.
https://toklegal.com/testimonials/excellent-attorney-with-high-standards/

Brilliant litigator

Peg is a brilliant litigator. She has a powerful command of the law and the ability to communicate effectively with her clients, courts, and opposing counsel. She is actively involved in the legal community. It is clear that she takes pride in her work and cares about her clients.

Martindale-Hubbell Peer review of Peg O'Connor

5.0
2019-01-17T16:43:53+00:00

Martindale-Hubbell Peer review of Peg O'Connor

Peg is a brilliant litigator. She has a powerful command of the law and the ability to communicate effectively with her clients, courts, and opposing counsel. She is actively involved in the legal community. It is clear that she takes pride in her work and cares about her clients.
https://toklegal.com/testimonials/brilliant-litigator/

One of the smartest, most ethical lawyers

Peg is one of the smartest, most ethical lawyers I have ever had the privilege of working with. She connects with her clients, they trust her, and she is an incredible communicator on every level. I cannot recommend her highly enough, both personally and intellectually.

Martindale-Hubbell Peer review of Peg O'Connor

5.0
2018-09-12T16:08:19+00:00

Martindale-Hubbell Peer review of Peg O'Connor

Peg is one of the smartest, most ethical lawyers I have ever had the privilege of working with. She connects with her clients, they trust her, and she is an incredible communicator on every level. I cannot recommend her highly enough, both personally and intellectually.
https://toklegal.com/testimonials/one-of-the-smartest-most-ethical-lawyers/

Professionalism, intelligence, and creativity

I have enjoyed working with Peg in quite a few cases. I admire her professionalism, intelligence, and creativity even in a difficult case.

Martindale-Hubbell Peer review of Peg O'Connor

5.0
2019-01-17T16:44:35+00:00

Martindale-Hubbell Peer review of Peg O'Connor

I have enjoyed working with Peg in quite a few cases. I admire her professionalism, intelligence, and creativity even in a difficult case.
https://toklegal.com/testimonials/professionalism-intelligence-and-creativity/

Outstanding attorney and true leader

Mr. Turner is an outstanding attorney and true leader of this (Gainesville, North Central Florida) community's legal profession.

Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review of Larry Turner

5.0
2019-01-17T16:17:38+00:00

Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review of Larry Turner

Mr. Turner is an outstanding attorney and true leader of this (Gainesville, North Central Florida) community's legal profession.
https://toklegal.com/testimonials/outstanding-attorney-and-true-leader/
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