Work-related injuries can result in serious hardships — not just physically and emotionally, but financially too. While workers’ compensation should cover your medical bills and lost wages, the process is often complicated. Many injured workers in Davie struggle with their workers’ compensation claims, facing delays or denials. By connecting with an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer through 1-800-Injured, you can ensure your right to compensation is protected. Fill out this form for help finding a Davie workers’ compensation attorney.
Who Is Covered Under Workers’ Comp Laws in Davie, FL?
Workers’ comp is a mandatory insurance system in Florida that provides compensation for medical treatment and lost income to employees who suffer job-related injuries or illnesses. The coverage varies based on the type of employment:
- Construction employers: All construction employers must have workers’ compensation insurance. The only exception is for entities with no employees other than the owners.
- Non-construction employers: For businesses outside the construction industry, this insurance is compulsory for companies with four or more employees, including the business owners.
- Agricultural employers: Agricultural businesses need workers’ comp coverage if they have six or more regular employees or 12 or more seasonal employees who work more than 30 days in a season but not more than a total of 45 days in a year.
- Corporate officers and LLC members: They can choose to exempt themselves from coverage but are otherwise included under the workers’ compensation policy.
- Independent contractors: Generally, they are not covered.
- Part-time employees: They are covered just like full-time employees.
Are You Eligible for Workers’ Comp Benefits in Davie?
A workers’ comp lawyer at one of the dedicated law firms in Davie can help you determine whether you qualify for medical care expenses, lost wages, and other benefits for your work injuries. In general, the eligibility criteria are:
- You must be an employee of a company that carries workers’ compensation insurance.
- Your injury or illness must be work-related.
- The injury must be reported to the employer within 30 days.
Workers’ Compensation Benefits Available in Davie, FL
If you are eligible for these benefits and you get injured while in the line of your duties, a law firm specializing in representing injured workers can help you receive the following benefits:
- Medical benefits: Covers necessary treatments like doctor visits, surgeries, medications, and rehabilitation
- Lost wages: Pays 66.67% of average weekly wage (up to the state’s maximum limit) if unable to work
- Permanent disability: Compensation depends on the severity of permanent impairments
- Death benefits: Provides funeral costs and ongoing financial support for dependents
- Vocational rehabilitation: Helps injured workers find new employment
- Temporary total disability (TTD): For those completely unable to work temporarily
- Temporary partial disability (TPD): For limited work capacity
- Permanent total disability (PTD): For permanently unable to work
Can I Recover Compensation for Pain and Suffering?
Workers’ compensation mainly covers medical expenses, a portion of lost wages, vocational rehabilitation, and disability benefits, but it does not include compensation for pain and suffering (or for social security disability). This trade-off provides benefits regardless of fault but limits the types of damages you can recover. Simply put, receiving workers’ comp benefits precludes you from suing your employer for the same injury.
There are exceptions, such as in cases of intentional harm, but these are rare. If your work-related injury was caused by a third party, such as a manufacturer of defective equipment, you may have the right to file a third-party lawsuit in addition to receiving workers’ compensation benefits. This type of lawsuit is separate from your workers’ compensation claim and can allow you to seek damages not covered by workers’ comp, like pain and suffering.
Legal representation from dedicated personal injury lawyers can often help maximize your workers’ compensation.
Get Legal Help for Your Workers’ Comp Claim in Davie, FL
Having a workers’ comp attorney in Davie can make a significant difference in your claim’s outcome as they can provide strong legal guidance and representation. Through 1-800-Injured, you can connect with skilled and experienced attorneys.
Remember, in Florida, you only have 30 days to report your injury and two years to file a workers’ comp claim. Time is of the essence, so contact us online or call 1-800-Injured to find an attorney for your workers’ compensation case.
DISCLAIMER: 1-800-Injured is an attorney and medical referral service.