Florida Workers’ Compensation Attorneys Fight for Victims Injured at the Workplace
Workers often experience injuries on the job that require medical care. Employment-related injuries can be mild to severe, depending on the type of work that is being done.
Workers in certain types of employment, such as construction, warehouse, and electrical jobs, are more prone to accidents occurring with more significant time off of work as a result of those injuries. However, even office employees can be injured on the job.
Florida law requires most businesses with four or more employees and agricultural businesses with at least six employees to carry workers’ compensation insurance. Construction businesses must have workers’ compensation insurance for all workers. If you’re injured on the job in Florida and your employer has workers’ compensation insurance, you most likely will be eligible to receive workers’ compensation benefits as long as all procedures are followed. However, in many cases, the insurance company that pays out the benefits may try to deny the claim for various reasons.
RTRLAW is familiar with both employers’ and insurance companies’ deceitful tactics to deny injured workers their rightful benefits.
If you’ve been injured in a Florida work-related accident, be sure to call RTRLAW today toll free at 1-833-HIRE-RTR (1-833-447-3787). Our experienced workers’ compensation attorneys can advise you of your rights and evaluate your case.
What is Workers’ Compensation?
Florida law makes provisions for injured workers that allow them to receive necessary medical treatment and a percentage of their lost wages after a work-related accident. In most cases, injured workers may be able to collect 66-⅔ percent of their average weekly wage, which is paid biweekly.
Workers’ compensation was established so injured employees could receive medical treatment and money for lost wages without having to sue their employers. Workers’ compensation protects employers by preventing employees from filing lawsuits for injuries and lost wages.
In Florida, a worker has 30 days to report a work-related accident for workers’ compensation coverage. However, often the worker doesn’t immediately realize that the injury was caused on the job, such as by repetitive trauma or longtime exposure to chemicals.
Florida employers pay for workers’ comp insurance and are not permitted to require their employees to contribute to the cost of compensation benefits.
What Benefits Can I Obtain From Workers’ Comp?
Individuals who have been injured on the job may receive the following types of benefits depending on the extent of the injuries they suffer:
- Medical care: Hospital and doctor visits, physical therapy, rehabilitation, necessary medical tests, prescription drugs, and possibly surgery.
- Temporary disability benefits: These benefits include temporary total disability and temporary partial disability. These benefits last up to 260 weeks or until the injured worker reaches the date of maximum medical improvement, whichever occurs first.
- Permanent total disability benefits: These benefits are granted to injured workers who are deemed to be totally and permanently disabled as a result of a workplace injury, and typically last until age 75.
- Death benefits: These workers’ compensation benefits are awarded to families of individuals who suffered fatal injuries on the job.
For more information about the type of workers’ comp benefits you may be entitled to receive after being injured on the job, contact RTRLAW. Our knowledgeable workers’ comp attorneys can review your case and, if necessary, help you file a claim.
How Do I Obtain Medical Treatment From Workers’ Comp After Being Injured?
Florida law also has specific guidelines regarding which physicians you may use and where you may obtain treatment.
One of the requirements of workers’ compensation insurance is that you only seek approved medical treatment from an authorized medical provider. Your employer can direct you to a physician within the insurance provider’s network. Failure to see an approved provider can result in you losing any benefits you may have been entitled to and having to pay the doctor out of your own pocket.
While workers’ compensation covers many workplace injuries, it is not required to cover the following injuries:
- Pre-existing conditions the employee had before they were hired.
- Injuries suffered while the employee was NOT on the job.
- Common illnesses such as a cold or flu.
- Injuries that resulted from horseplay on the job or while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- Injuries caused by fighting with another employee (if the injured employee was the aggressor).
- A deliberate attempt by the employee to injure themselves.
If you do receive care from a workers’ compensation doctor, make sure your employer has completed the “First Report of Injury” form, and keep notes about the dates, times, and details of your doctor appointments.
Compensation for missed wages is based upon the number of days you are unable to work – and you still may not be eligible for full payment of your lost income.
Severe medical conditions caused by work-related injuries demand serious treatment. It’s critical that you follow Florida Workers’ Compensation procedures to ensure your treatments are covered.
To obtain the help you need to follow these workers’ compensation procedures, an experienced workers’ compensation attorney, such as those at RTRLAW, can be a valuable resource. In addition, RTRLAW’s attorneys can advise you of your legal rights, provide the information your employer may fail to provide, and advocate for you throughout the process to get you the benefits to which you’re entitled.
For a free no-obligation case review, call or text RTRLAW today toll free at 1-833-HIRE-RTR (1-833-447-3787).
Why Should I Seek Legal Help After Being Injured on the Job?
Employees are often afraid to file claims for fear of losing their jobs, and employers are often quick to question their responsibility. Therefore, understanding how to protect your health and rights can be confusing and complex.
If you’ve been injured on the job, you may be entitled to benefits your employer or insurance company does not tell you about. For example, many employees are unaware that workers’ comp may pay for repetitive trauma injuries they’ve suffered over time. However, many employers and their insurance companies often question workers when they try to make claims for repetitive trauma injuries.
Additionally, exposure to chemicals or other hazardous working conditions may result in illnesses months or years later. Therefore, a comprehensive investigation of your medical records may be required to establish responsibility.
One of the best steps you can take to protect yourself is to hire a qualified workers’ compensation attorney as soon as you are injured or realize you have developed a work-related illness.
RTRLAW Workers’ Compensation attorneys can advise you of your legal rights and guide you through the complex rules that regulate compensation claims. Our knowledgeable attorneys will also assist you with applying for benefits and ensuring you obtain the proper medical care.
Why Is RTRLAW the Best Choice to Help Me Obtain Workers’ Compensation Benefits?
If you’ve been injured on the job, you most likely are worried about how you will support yourself and your family. Unfortunately, all too often, our workers’ compensation attorneys meet with clients who have been wrongfully denied their rightful benefits. If you’ve been denied your benefits, it can quickly lead to financial hardship for you and your loved ones.
For this reason, it’s critical you hire an experienced workers’ comp attorney who will fight for your rights. Our highly qualified attorneys are not afraid to stand up for your legal rights with employers and insurance companies and fight for the compensation you deserve during your time of need.
You can meet with an experienced RTRLAW Workers’ Compensation attorney over the phone, by video conference, or in person at any of our six convenient office locations in Florida, including:
- Fort Lauderdale
- Orlando
- Tampa
- Lake Worth
- Miami (by appointment only)
- Jacksonville (by appointment only)
At RTRLAW, we fight for our clients’ rights and to help them recover the benefits they deserve after being injured on the job.
Our attorneys or investigators also can come to you – even if you’re in the hospital or confined to home due to your injuries. If we take your case, you’ll never pay anything upfront. RTRLAW works on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay NOTHING unless we win your case and recover benefits for you.
Since 1988, RTRLAW has represented tens of thousands of clients and successfully recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in settlements. Our attorneys fight hard to get our clients the fair compensation they deserve for their injuries.
For more information about how RTRLAW’s Workers’ Compensation attorneys can assist you if you get injured on the job or for a free, no-obligation case review, please contact us, CHAT WITH US, or call or text us toll free at 1-833-HIRE-RTR (1-833-447-3787) or email [email protected].