Suffering a workplace injury and illness can be frustrating and stressful. Not only do you have to focus on recovering from the condition, but you also have to deal with the financial impact of such a situation. In most cases, the injured worker has reduced working capacity, which can increase their financial burden. Unfortunately, insurance companies and employers often try to reduce or delay paying compensation to injured workers, and that is why you need to have an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer. If you are interested in hiring a workers’ comp lawyer specializing in Florida laws, contact us at 1-800-Injured.
Common Workplace Injuries And Illnesses
Some jobs are more prone to employee injuries or illnesses. For example, a worker at a construction site is at an increased risk of suffering an injury compared to a librarian. However, anyone can suffer a workplace injury as it doesn’t take much to get injured. You could easily slip and fall anywhere and get injured. Here are some common workplace injuries and illnesses:
- Repetitive motion injuries
- Slips and falls
- Fire and explosion
- Overexertion
- Vehicle-related accidents
- Injuries caused by machinery
- Exposure to toxic substances or radiation
Eligibility for Workers’ Compensation Benefits
To be eligible for worker’s compensation benefits, you need to meet certain requirements. The workers’ compensation benefits are for employees only so you have to be legally employed to get benefits. The Florida workers’ comp law allows for a wide range of circumstances for the injured worker to get benefits but the injury has to be work-related. It doesn’t necessarily have to be at the workplace, but it has to be directly related to your work. For example, if your employer asked you to make a delivery to a customer and you got injured in a car accident, you could qualify for workers’ compensation benefits. You could also be eligible for benefits if you suffered injuries that were a result of repetitive movements.
A key component of eligibility for workers’ compensation benefits is timely reporting. If you miss the deadline to report or file a claim, then you may no longer qualify for the benefits. Florida law requires injured workers to report their injuries within 30 days. Similarly, the employer must report the injury to the workers’ compensation insurance carrier promptly.
What Benefits Are Available?
Once you have reported your illness or injury to your employer, they will notify their insurance company, which will investigate your claim. If and when your claim is approved, you can start receiving your workers’ compensation benefits.
A primary component of the benefits is compensation for medical bills for treatment for the injuries. The insurer may provide you with a list of authorized medical facilities or doctors where you can get treatment. Generally, all medical expenses related to the injury are covered, including medical tests, physical therapy, medications, etc.
Another key component is wage replacement or lost wages benefits. These benefits are designed to replace income lost due to injuries that cause temporary Total Disability (TTD), Permanent Partial Disability (PPD), and Permanent Total Disability (PTD).
Suppose there has been a death due to work-related injury or illness. In that case, surviving family members may be eligible for death benefits, including funeral expenses and financial support for dependent family members. The workers’ comp payments can be made as a lump sum settlement or in periodic payments.
FAQs
Do I Need A Lawyer For a Workers' Compensation Case In Florida?
Generally, injured workers should have a lawyer for workers’ compensation cases in Florida, which can often get complex. There are several benefits to having a lawyer for such cases, including legal protection against retaliation from the employer, ensuring full benefits, and providing legal guidance on each step of the workers’ compensation claim process. Most importantly, personal injury lawyers can allow you to focus on recovering from your injury or illness as they can handle all legal aspects of the case.
How Much Does Workers’ Comp Cost In Florida?
The cost of getting workers’ compensation insurance in Florida can vary widely as there are several factors involved in such cases, including the size of the business and the number of employees. As far as the average cost of workers’ compensation claims is considered, that number also varies widely as it depends on different factors, including the severity of the work-related injuries. If the worker suffered long-term injuries that caused paralysis, the compensation would be significantly more compared to a broken leg.
How Long Can You Be On Workers’ Comp In Florida?
According to Florida law, injured workers can receive temporary total or temporary partial disability payments or a combination of both for no more than 104 weeks or until they return to work. The workers’ compensation benefits don’t start until you miss 8 days of work. Employees are expected to use their sick leave or vacation days to cover for this period, but if you miss 21 days or more, you can receive workers’ compensation for the time you missed work.
How Can Port Saint Lucie Workers’ Compensation Attorneys Help You?
If you or a loved one suffered a workplace accident in Florida, contact us at 1-800-Injured. We are a nationwide referral service for attorneys. We understand that this is a challenging phase in your life. Allow us to help you get through these difficult times. While workers’ compensation claims have a high success rate, there is a possibility that your claim could get denied. A workers’ compensation attorney can review why your claim was denied and file an appeal to challenge it.
Ideally, you want to avoid errors that can lead to a denied claim, such as failing to report your injury on time or having insufficient evidence to support your claim. An attorney can help you get your claim right the first time to help minimize the likelihood of it getting denied. If you think you don’t have enough evidence, the attorney can help you find evidence that can strengthen your case.
Disclaimer: 1-800-Injured is an attorney and medical referral service