Florida’s Worker Compensation Attorney

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Originally Posted On: Workers Compensation Attorney I First Coast Accident Lawyers

Under Florida workers’ comp law, you are entitled to compensation when you are injured on the job. Workplace accidents take a variety of forms and do not have to be the fault of your employer for you to be covered. Accidents, regardless of who is at fault, are covered by the workers’ compensation program and a Florida workers’ compensation lawyer can help you process your claim and get you the benefits you deserve.

A Florida workers comp lawyer can ensure you receive the maximum compensation for your injuries and help you move forward with denied claims. The process of obtaining benefits under the workers’ compensation law can be challenging, but when you work with an attorney, we can advise you on your legal rights under the law.

Serving the Orange Park, Palatka, Middleburg, Starke and Gainesville Florida areas, Attorney John Fagan can assist you with your claims and help you understand the law as it relates to your injuries. He will make sure you have the necessary proof to show the severity as well as the long-term effects of your workplace injury.

It is imperative you file a claim with your employer as soon as possible for your injuries. There is a deadline for filing. You have 30 days from the date of the accident to report your injuries and accident to your employer. In turn, your employer will report your claims to the Florida Division of Workers’ Compensation, and its insurance carrier. You have two years after reporting to file for benefits but you should file immediately.

Because the timeframe is strict for reporting a workplace injury, notify your employer as soon as you see signs of an illness or have an injury from an accident at work. Failure to report your injuries to your employer could forfeit your workers’ compensation benefits. We can assist you in filing a claim with the division and make sure you are eligible for benefits under the law.

We serve Orange Park, Palatka, and Middleburg, Starke and Gainesville Florida. You will be afforded coverage if you are hurt while on the job. Injuries can vary, and your employment type does not matter. Under Florida law, all employers must provide coverage to their employees for injury-related accidents regardless of their status. This means that full-time, part-time as well as temporary employees are entitled to Workers’ Comp benefits.

In Florida, the only type of employee exempt from an employer’s workers’ compensation coverage are independent contract employees. These employees are not considered direct workers of the company. The laws for workers’ comp in the state do not cover these types of employees. Consult with us so we can determine if you are eligible for benefits for your injuries.

All accidents are also covered by workers’ compensation regardless if the employee made an error that caused the accident. The only time that Florida does not provide benefits for injuries sustained as a result of an on-the-job injury is if the employee was under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Violation of doing workplace rules can nullify eligibility and prevent benefits from being paid.

There are several types of benefits paid to employees injured from a work-related accident. Workers’ Comp benefits pay for medical bills as well as provide income if you are unable to work because of your injuries.

Any treatment received for your injuries must be provided by an approved medical professional cleared by your employer and their insurance provider. This will allow for complete coverage of your medical care and ensure paid expenses for your medical coverage. Failing to see a doctor that has been approved by your employer can result in non-payment of your medical expenses. These expenses would have to be paid by you out-of-pocket with no benefits provided to cover the costs.

As part of your workers’ compensation benefits, you may seek medical care for any injuries that were sustained during a workplace accident. Your benefits also include payment for:

• All necessary medical treatment
• Visits to your doctor
• Hospital stays to treat your injuries
• All medical tests related to caring for your injuries
• All necessary physical therapy
• Prescription drugs needed for your illness or injury
• Any prostheses obtained

In addition, your workers’ compensation benefits also provide payment for the cost of traveling to and from your doctor. Mileage reimbursement is also paid for trips to and from your pharmacy under the law.

When you are unable to work because of your injuries, you are entitled to lost wage compensation through workers’ comp. This pays a portion of your wages that you were unable to earn because you were recovering from your injury or if the severity of your injury renders you unable to return to work.

The Florida Division of Workers’ Compensation determines your wage payout based on the severity of your injuries and its impairment to your ability to work. The classifications for lost wage benefits are as follows:

When your injuries prevent you from working in any capacity, you will be eligible for up to 66 2/3 percent of your regular wage earnings through the workers’ compensation program. This is subject to a state maximum and depending on the severity of your disability, may be as much as 80 percent of your earnings as determined by the division. In these instances, paid benefits occur for up to six months.

Payment for lost wages due to a temporary total disability will not be paid for the first seven days of disability or missed work unless your injury extends over 21 days. Then the compensation becomes retroactive and pays from the first day of missed work. If your disability lasts less than 21 days, payments occur for the time missed after seven days.

When you can return to work in a limited capacity, you may be eligible for temporary partial disability compensation. If you are unable to earn 80 percent of your previous wages in your new limited capacity role, supplemental income occurs with benefits under the workers’ comp program. A Florida workers’ comp lawyer can help you calculate what your total compensation would be under the program.

Temporary disability benefits can be paid for up to a total of 104 weeks under the workers’ compensation law in the state. A Florida workers’ compensation lawyer can help you receive the maximum disability benefits you are eligible to receive.

If your doctor clears you for work, you must return to your employer. Light-duty work can be performed in lieu of regular responsibilities when a doctor has approved your release. Failing to return to work as stipulated by your doctor can result in forfeit of your workers’ comp benefits.

If your injuries resulted in permanent total disability, you might qualify for additional benefits. A permanent total disability rating means your injuries are so severe that you are unable to work in any capacity permanently. Your permanent impairment rating must be higher than zero percent. Then, your injuries will be rated, and compensation will be determined based on their severity. This takes place under the Bureau of Monitoring and Audit. A Florida workers’ comp lawyer can help you understand what type of benefits you can expect with your permanent total disability injuries as determined by the bureau.

If you pass away as a result of a workplace accident, your family and dependents are eligible for your workers’ compensation benefits. This can include deaths that occurred within one year of the incident or after five years of disability because of the accident. Your family may be eligible for benefit payments up to $150,000. Your family may also receive funeral compensation up to $7500. Florida also provides for education benefits to be paid to a surviving spouse as outlined by the law.

When you are denied benefits by the workers’ comp insurance carrier, you need a Florida workers’ compensation lawyer to intervene. They can contact the Employee Assistance Office (EAO) as a first? step in obtaining your benefits. The EAO may resolve your issues, or you may file a petition for benefits with the Office of Judges of Compensation Claims. Here, your processed application for appeal schedules a hearing with the Judge of Compensation Claims.

Within 40 days of your petition filing, a meeting with the Judge of Compensation Claims occurs. In most cases, you will need to be examined by an independent medical examiner prior to the hearing. They will assess your injuries and report their findings to the Judges of Compensation Claims.

At your pretrial hearing, you will need to make a case for the severity as well as the long-term effects of your injuries. You may be required to present medical documentation as to your inability to work and any disability you have obtained. Having a Florida workers’ comp lawyer represent you at this time would be beneficial as they are well-versed in the workers’ compensation appeals process. They know what to expect at the pretrial hearing. You may also want to consider having your doctor testify on the severity of your injuries and their limiting effects.

Following the pretrial hearing, the judge will decide on your case within 30 days. If the denial of your claim occurs, you may take further action by filing an appeal with the First District Court of Appeals in Florida. Your attorney can help prevent the need for additional appeals as they will assist you in being prepared to present and prove your case at the initial pretrial hearing. This can help reduce the timeline for receiving benefits and also ensure you receive the compensation you are entitled to.

Your Florida workers’ comp attorney may also try to resolve your case through alternative dispute resolution. This mediation process can help settle your claim without the need to go to court. The ADR works to find a solution that works well for both you and your employer. This can allow you to go back to work if possible while still receiving benefits from your injuries. This is often a lower cost solution that insurance companies will agree to while still providing benefits and coverage for your injuries.

Filing an appeal with the First District Court of Appeals can be a challenging process to endure for any individual. Having a workmans’ comp lawyer in Florida on your side can help. They will represent you in court and present your case in a concise and comprehensive manner. Going through this process alone can risk your eligibility to receive workers’ comp benefit as well your total settlement award.

Having workmans’ comp lawyers to help you navigate the legal process will ensure swift results as well as the best opportunity to receive compensation for your injuries that is fair. You will have an easier time with your claim and reduce the chances of denial of your injury complaint. A Florida workers’ comp lawyer will know the proper procedures to follow as well as the law according to the workers’ compensation program.

When you are in need of help with your workers’ comp claim, contact John Fagan to speak with an experienced FL workers’ compensation lawyer. A skilled attorney can advise you of your legal rights in relation to the injuries you have sustained while on the job. They can file your claim quickly and accurately and help you receive fair compensation for your injuries that occurred while you were working. Get started today by scheduling a consultation.