Workers' comp book update now complete.

Curious about the complex ins and outs of Florida's workers' compensation law? And how did this system develop the way it did?

Rafael Gonzalez is providing the answers. The former chair of the Bar's Workers' Compensation Section and a longtime observer of the legislature's workers' comp activities has updated his book on the subject.

The fourth edition of Workers' Compensation and Politics in Florida has just been published by Gonzalez.

Among the subjects in the revised volume: the origin, growth, and changes in Florida's workers' comp laws including the dramatic rewrite in 2003; how attorneys are involved in the system and their fees determined; changes in recent years; how Florida newspapers have reported on the issues; and the evolution of these laws since 1935.

Gonzalez said the purpose is to familiarize practitioners with workers' comp law and inform them of changes and trends. As he notes, the law has been much altered in recent years.

"After having been involved with Florida's workers' compensation legislative changes in 1990 and 1993, I noticed a lack of documented historical perspective and practical awareness about the 1979, 1983, 1987, and 1989 changes to Chapter 440," he said. "So when in 1998, and again in 1999, the Florida Legislature began studying workers' compensation again, I began to chronicle the statutes, positions, research, and legislation proposed."

Each copy of the book is $99.95, which includes shipping and handling. Checks can be mailed to Rafael Gonzalez Publications, 2503 West Swann Ave., Tampa 33609. Purchasers should include their name, address, phone, fax, or e-mail contact, and the number of books they wish.

Gonzalez can he reached at [phone].