If you have suffered a workplace injury in Florida, you deserve to have a skilled Workers’ Compensation attorney on your side. The Cloud Law Firm is here to help you navigate the complex process of worker’s compensation claims and avoid costly mistakes.
Florida’s Workers’ Compensation laws are in place to protect employees who have been injured on the job. You may be entitled to compensation for lost wages, permanent injuries, and medical expenses both past and future if you have been hurt on the job.
These types of cases can be quite complex, often involving third-party claims, liens, and other legal issues that can slow down the claim process or lead to a denial of your workers’ comp claim. When you’re hurt the last thing you need is for your claim to be denied causing you undue stress and headaches.
Workers’ compensation insurance benefits are designed to help compensate you not only with the loss of wages when you are unable to work but also with any medical expenses related to your injury such as:
- Doctors’ visits
- Ongoing care
- Prescription costs
- Rehabilitation
- Physical therapy
- Prosthetic devices
It is also possible for family members to recover compensation when one of their loved ones is fatally injured in a workplace accident. This amount is typically meant to cover the funeral and burial costs and to replace a percentage of the individual’s lost income.
If you have been injured at your place of work let the Cloud Law Firm protect your rights and fight for the compensation you deserve when you are hurt on the job in Florida.
Do I Still Qualify For Workers’ Comp in Florida if the Accident Was My Fault?
Employers in Florida are required by law to have workers’ comp insurance for their employees. It ensures that an employee will continue to receive payment in the event that they are injured on the job and unable to work. The employee can file a claim with their employer’s workers’ compensation insurance carrier explaining the incident and the injury sustained.
One important distinction between workers’ compensation claims and other types of personal injury claims, injured workers do not have to prove fault or negligence to receive compensation from workers’ comp insurance. It also does not matter if the injury was the result of your own mistake or negligence, you can still file a workers’ compensation claim in Florida. In exchange for the ability to file claims through workers’ compensation insurance, a worker does give up their rights to file personal injury lawsuits against their employers, however.
If you have been injured on the job in Florida, you may be entitled to compensation for your injury under Florida’s workers’ compensation program. If you aren’t sure it is worth discussing the issue with a worker’s comp lawyer near you who can give you guidance and how to proceed.
How To Apply For Workers’ Compensation in Florida – The Steps
When you’ve been injured while at work it’s important to follow the proper procedure when filing a workers’ compensation claim in Florida to ensure that you receive the compensation you need as quickly as possible. There are a number of steps involved in the process which can be quite complex at times.
Step 1: Seek Medical Treatment
The first step when you’ve been injured on the job or have developed an illness related to your employment is to seek medical treatment. If you avoid getting proper medical treatment you could make your injury worse. Neglecting to get treatment can also make it easier for your employer to deny your claim. It’s vitally important to document everything related to your medical treatment for your workplace injury.
Step 2: Report Your Injury To Your Employer
When you are injured at work your first instinct might be to brush it off and continue working, waiting to see if you simply recover on your own. But it’s important to note that you need to notify your employer within 90 days of your injury or your claim can be denied by your employer. It is important to report your injury to your employer in writing so there is a verifiable record of when the injury occurred and other details about the injury.
Step 3: Contact An Experienced Workers’ Comp Lawyer in Florida
Workers’ compensation claims can be confusing because there are so many rules and procedures in place. A Workers’ comp lawyer can help guide you through the process making sure you don’t miss deadlines, that you collect the appropriate medical and employment records, and that you get help from medical and vocational experts to prove the severity of your injury.
Step 4: File Your Workers’ Comp Claim ASAP
Filing a workers’ compensation claim as quickly as you can after an injury occurs can help to expedite the process and reduce the chances of it being denied. It will also allow you to start receiving benefits faster. To file your claim you will need the necessary paperwork from your employer. If for some reason they are procrastinating on giving you the documents they need or are being uncooperative in some other way like suggesting that the injury is not work-related then it is definitely time to contact a worker’s compensation attorney near you to help fight for your rights. It is also possible to file a claim with the Workers’ Compensation Commission if you are having trouble with your employer. Once the claim is submitted the worker’s compensation board will then begin the investigation process into your claim to make sure that it is legitimate.
Step 5: Be Patient, Avoid Discussing Your Injury Publically, and Watch What You Post on Social Media
It’s important to keep a somewhat low profile while the claim is being processed. Insurance companies will use people’s social media profiles to try to deny workers’ comp claims if there are images or posts that suggest you are not as injured as you have led them to believe in your claim.
During the investigation period your employer might also try to argue your workers’ compensation claim. Have all the documentation ready and don’t miss any deadlines so that you don’t give the workers’ compensation board any reason to deny your claim.
Step 6: Decision and Appeal Time If Necessary
Once the workers’ compensation investigation is completed you will receive your decision about whether your workers’ comp claim is accepted and you will start to get benefits or you will receive notice that your claim has been denied. If you are unsatisfied with the amount that has been determined for your case, or if your claim is denied then you can make an appeal to the Workers’ Compensation Commission to review the case. It is worth speaking with an experienced worker’s comp lawyer if your claim is low or denied as they can assist you in the appeal process.
What Types of Injuries Are Covered by Florida’s Workers’ Compensation?
Workplace injuries are quite common, according to the Division Of Workers’ Compensation there were over 56,000 worker’s comp claims in Florida in 2022. And although when one thinks of a workplace injury they might picture a fall or an injury involving a tool, like a construction site accident, there are actually many types of injuries that are covered by worker’s compensation. Some of these include:
- Falls
- Struck by an object accidents
- Electrocution
- Stuck or crush injuries between two objects or machinery
- Lacerations
- Burns
- Forklift or driving injuries
- Toxic exposures
- Fractures
- Repetitive motion injuries
Not only does workers’ compensation cover one-time serious injuries, they also provide benefits for workers who have developed chronic illnesses due to long-term exposures to certain chemicals or other toxins in their workplace. This includes injuries like mesothelioma, other types of cancer, hearing loss, blindness, asthma and more.
Contact A Florida Workers’ Compensation Attorney at the Cloud Law Firm Today
The workers’ compensation claim process can be daunting for people, and when you are already dealing with an injury it can be quite overwhelming. When you have been hurt at work, it is important for you to contact an experienced workers’ comp lawyer to represent your interests. The attorneys at the Cloud Law Firm can advocate for you with the insurance company so that you can focus on your recovery. Contact us today to schedule a free case consultation at our Florida office. 855-408-5100
We offer worker’s compensation legal services in Sebring, FL, and worker’s compensation legal services in Largo, FL.