Paolo Longo Jr.

I am now a retired paramedic/firefighter who served my department proudly for 30 years. About seven years prior to my retirement while on a drill at work my cardiac saga began. While taking vitals signs from drill participants, I was told for the first time in my life that I had multi-focal PVC's. I ...was placed on medical leave by my department and began a month-long journey of cardiac testing. At the end of the testing, I was told by the counties risk management department that my cardiac event was not work-related. I was confused by this decision since I had kept my medical records for the previous 23 years worth of department physicals and had never had a single PVC. I hired a different law firm back then who represented me in this matter and was NOT able to help me recover my lost medical time. I was released and proudly went back to work. During my next scheduled yearly medical exam at work again they placed me on medical leave because my PVC's were still present. This time I did some research and decided to hire the law firm of Bichler and Longo to represent me. Needless to say, the results were completely different this time. With the help of Paolo Longo and his staff, I was able to get coverage from the state of Florida under The Heart and Lung Bill this time around, and know going forward that I can receive the cardiac help I need. I have to give a special thank you to Angela Umana who works at the Coral Gables office of Bichler and Longo, for being such a dedicated, compassionate professional, thank you.

Although the title of this review is one word Mr. Longo has consistently been attentive and results driven on all my cases. He is available to answer questions and has a great team in place. As a first responder for many years I feel that my health would be in jeopardy if I didn't retain his services... to receive the benefits I needed.

I was a Firefighter/Paramedic with a local So. Florida fire dept. (now recently retired). About 10 years ago, I developed heart related medical issues requiring the services of a cardiologist and medications. Under Florida law, "First Responders" (Police Officers, Firefighters...etc.) fall under wh...at is known as the "Heart & Lung Bill", which meant my personal medical insurance WILL NOT EVER cover it and the cost of treatment is born by the City for whom I'm employed, under their workers compensation carrier. From the very beginning, the assigned representative from the workers comp. carrier, went out of her way to DENY just about anything the cardiologist wanted to do, in the way of diagnostics and/or treatment. "She" went so far as to flat out lie to me and made matters as difficult as possible, such as refusing to allow ALL medications to be filled at the same time, requiring me to make 3 or 4 trips every month, or she would cancel appointments at the last minute without notice and with the lamest of excuses. I even went so far as having to pay for medication out of my own pocket because "she" denied it and my medical insurance would not cover it. It was a nightmare every time I spoke with "her", she was terse, rude, abrupt and just genuinely nasty!! I had had enough, after several years of this ridiculous nonsense and abuse, when this law-firm reached out to our firefighters and police officers. They had a tremendous amount of experience dealing with these types of claims and knew how abusive these insurers are. It was explained to me, that by behaving this way, their hope is you won’t want to deal with them and they make more money for themselves. I signed up with Mr. Paolo Longo immediately and the swiftness in which he and his staff dealt with them was nothing short of miraculous!! I NEVER HAD TO SPEAK TO THEM AGAIN, and he made sure that he was going to hold them accountable for everything they owed me. Imagine my shock and surprise when a mere 2 months after hiring them, Mr. Longo called to tell me he had a check for $30,000 for me (right at Christmas time, no less), and the insurer was paying for their legal services separately. In several separate checks over the following couple of months I received, in full, reimbursements for all the medications I had paid for and all the mileage I had driven, to and from, every pharmacy, Dr's appointments, and diagnostics centers. His office staff is the most wonderful, caring people. They are always polite, and make sure you are taken care of. I never thought I'd ever have to hire an attorney but in this instance, it was the best decision I ever made! The insurer can lie to you, but they'll NEVER get away with it if Mr. Longo and his staff is working on your behalf. Thank you very very much Mr. Longo you are truly Magnificent!!