Orlando Workers’ Comp Lawyers Advocate For the Legal Rights of Injured Employees
Workers’ compensation is one of the legal safeguards put into place to protect employees who have been injured on the job. In Florida, workers’ comp helps pay for work-related injuries regardless of fault. Workers’ comp covers injury-related medical expenses and pays the injury victim a percentage of their lost wages.
However, some workers’ comp insurance companies try to delay or deny coverage to injured employees, citing various reasons. So, if you’ve been wrongly denied workers’ comp, consult with an experienced workers’ comp attorney immediately.
RTRLAW is a full-service law firm in Orlando with attorneys dedicated to helping people who have been injured recover the compensation they deserve for their injuries. If you’ve been denied workers’ comp benefits, call RTRLAW at (407) 343-5152 or our toll-free number, 1-833-HIRE-RTR (1-833-447-3787), for a free, no-obligation case review. A qualified legal team member will gladly review your case and explain your legal options.
What is Workers’ Compensation in Florida?
Workers’ comp insurance was implemented to prevent employees from suing employers for injuries. Instead, employers must purchase worker’s comp insurance to pay injured employees’ medical costs and lost wages.
Florida law requires most employers with at least four or more employees to carry workers’ compensation coverage. However, for those companies that employ construction workers, the law states that even if they have only one employee, they must carry workers’ comp insurance. For agricultural companies, coverage is required if they employ at least six full-time employees or 12 temporary employees who work more than 30 days during a season but no more than a combined total of 45 days in a calendar year.
If a workers’ comp claim is approved, the injured worker will receive a percentage of their lost wages. Florida law dictates that, in most cases, an individual who makes a claim for lost wages will receive up to 66-⅔ percent of their average weekly wage paid in bi-weekly benefits. Workers’ comp will also cover the medical expenses related to the individual’s work-related injury.
One of the most significant benefits of worker’s compensation in Florida is that it is considered a “no-fault system.” A no-fault system means that, in theory, employers should not question whether the employee is at-fault for the work-related injury. Nevertheless, some employers try to assert that the employees have pre-existing conditions, are faking the injury, or were injured outside of work to deny paying benefits.
What Does Workers’ Comp Cover?
Along with paying a percentage of lost wages, workers’ comp insurance also pays for any medical costs associated with an injury. Medical expenses typically paid by workers’ comp include:
- hospital bills,
- medical tests related to the injury,
- rehabilitation and physical therapy,
- and prescription drugs.
Workers’ comp will pay for your doctor visits; however, you must see a workers’ comp medical provider authorized by the insurance carrier. If you seek treatment from a physician that is not authorized, your bill will most likely not be paid.
If your job causes you to suffer a repetitive trauma injury or you have been exposed to toxins, you may be able to claim workers’ comp. Repetitious work can cause employees to suffer from nerve damage, inflammation, and stress fractures. These injuries frequently develop over time, and it may be challenging to determine the initial cause.
If you can demonstrate that your workplace was the major contributing cause of your repetitive stress injury, you may be able to file a workers’ comp claim to receive benefits. The same holds true if you have been exposed to toxins that have caused you to develop chronic health problems such as lung cancer or COPD.
However, there are certain conditions that workers’ comp will not cover, which include:
- Intentional self-inflicted injuries;
- Injuries caused by being intoxicated or through drug use.
Furthermore, employees who have not adhered to company safety protocols, such as wearing mandatory safety equipment, may also be denied workers’ comp benefits.
If you’re still trying to determine if your injury or health condition qualifies you to receive workers’ comp, contact RTRLAW in Orlando for a free, no-obligation case review. A qualified legal team member will gladly review your case and help you understand your legal options.
What Can I Do if I Have Been Denied Workers’ Comp Benefits?
One of the best steps you can take to protect yourself is to hire an experienced workers’ compensation attorney who can act as your legal advocate through every step but especially if your claim has been denied. RTRLAW’s knowledgeable workers’ comp attorneys can assist you by gathering critical information, such as accident and medical reports, and providing the legal representation you need to strengthen your claim.
How Can Your Law Firm Help Me Obtain Workers’ Comp Benefits?
If you’ve been denied the workers’ comp benefits you deserve for your work injury, hire a skilled attorney as soon as possible. A qualified workers’ comp lawyer such as the ones at RTRLAW in Orlando can investigate your case by evaluating your medical records, obtaining testimony from medical experts, and gathering other evidence that may be useful to support your claim.
RTRLAW’s highly trained lawyers also can negotiate a settlement on your behalf to help you recover benefits through alternative means, such as mediation and arbitration. Many individuals are unaware that most cases are resolved through negotiations without the need for expensive and time-consuming litigation.
RTRLAW knows that being injured on the job can be stressful and overwhelming for you and your family. You most likely are concerned about recovering from your injury but also worried about your finances and how to support your family when you’re injured.
If you’ve been injured on the job or have been denied your rightful workers’ comp benefits, contact RTRLAW in Orlando for a free, no-obligation case review by calling (407) 343-5152 or our toll-free number, 1-833-HIRE-RTR (833-447-3787). Our highly experienced workers’ comp attorneys can evaluate your case and help you understand the available legal options.