You probably have questions about workers’ compensation benefits if you sustained a work-related illness or injury in The Hammocks, FL. You can get answers to your questions and find out if you might qualify for benefits when you discuss your case with our team.
Call the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine to see how a personal injury lawyer in The Hammocks, FL can help you. There is no charge for the initial consultation.
Employers Who Participate in Workers’ Compensation in Florida
Nearly every employer in Florida has to carry workers’ compensation coverage, including:
- State and local governments
- Construction companies who employ at least one person
- Any employer with at least four full-time or part-time employees
- Farmers who employ at least five regular workers, and/or at least 12 seasonal employees who work at least 30 days
Employers Who Are Exempt from Buying Workers’ Compensation Insurance
Some industries are outside of Florida’s workers’ compensation system, but they often provide federal workers’ compensation benefits. If you are in one of these groups, we can explain how the federal claim system works and handle your benefits claim:
- Longshoremen
- Harbor workers
- Railroad employees
- Defense contractors
- Employees of the federal government
How to Qualify for State Workers’ Compensation Benefits in The Hammocks, FL
Our state’s workers’ compensation system has strict deadlines with short timelines. Your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance carrier will jump on any procedural reason to deny your claim, even if you have a severe illness or injury.
Call us right away if you have experienced a work-related injury or illness so that we can make sure you report the injury in time, comply with every rule, and meet every deadline to protect your right to compensation.
The Deadline to Report a Work-Related Illness or Injury
You should report your illness or injury as soon as you realize that it is work-related. You only have 30 days from the day of your injury. If you miss this deadline, the Florida Workers’ Compensation Division might deny your claim.
Do not rely on verbal notice to your employer. Make your notice in writing so that you can prove when and how you gave notice. Use the correct form for the notification. We can walk you through this process.
Working with a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer in The Hammocks, FL
You do not have to use an injury lawyer for your workers’ compensation claim, but when you think about the insurance company looking for any excuse to deny your claim, having a lawyer involved can give you peace of mind. Also, you can focus on getting well while a workers’ compensation lawyer in The Hammocks, FL handles the legal matters for you.
The steps we take can vary from one case to another, but here are some examples of ways we help our clients during the claims process:
- Make sure that you are eligible for benefits
- Let you know what to expect at every stage of the claim process
- Confirm that your boss reported your claim to the insurer
- Report your claim to the insurer if your employer failed or refused to report it
As the case progresses, we can:
- Collect your medical records and employment documents to build your claim
- Calculate the value of your claim
- Review all settlement documents
- Get you the benefits you need
Throughout the claim process, we will:
- Listen to you
- Treat you with respect
- Answer your questions
- Protect your right to workers’ compensation benefits
Categories of Workers’ Compensation Benefits
Our state’s system provides three types of compensation for people who sustain work-related illnesses or injuries. The benefits include:
Medical Benefits. Your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance policy must cover such things as:
- Medical treatment
- Hospitalization
- Doctors
- Diagnostic work and testing
- Prescription drugs
- Physical therapy
- Prosthetic devices
You cannot go to your regular doctor for your medical attention. Your boss can approve one visit to your doctor right after the injury or illness, but then you must go to one of the insurance company’s doctors for your medical care for the claim. If you do not do so, the insurance company will not cover the doctor’s bills.
You must disclose to all health care providers who treat you for this injury or illness that the condition is work-related. The facilities will need the name and phone number of the contact person for your boss or the insurance company.
Lost Wages and Other Monetary Awards. The second category of workers’ compensation benefits in Florida is to help replace income that you missed because of the work-related illness or injury. This category provides four types of compensation:
- Temporary Total Disability (TTD). You can get between 66 2/3 and 80 percent of your regular wages, up to the state maximum, if you cannot work at all, but the doctor expects you to return to the job eventually.
- Temporary Partial Disability (TPD). You can get TPD benefits for up to 104 weeks if you can work in a limited capacity temporarily and you earn less than 80 percent of your previous income.
- Impairment Income Benefits (IIB). When you have reached maximum medical improvement, you will receive a rating that includes the percentage of your permanent impairment. An evaluator will use the rating to calculate how much money you will get.
- Permanent Total Disability (PTD). You might be eligible for PTD benefits if you will never again be able to perform any type of work, including your previous job or any other line of work.
Death Benefits. When a worker dies from a work-related injury or illness within a year of the initial incident or within five continuous years of disability, the insurance company can pay death benefits to the qualified survivors. The death benefits (which have a total limit of $150,000) can include:
- Compensation to the dependents
- $7,500 for funeral costs
- Surviving spouse educational benefits
How to Get Legal Help for Your Workers’ Compensation Claim in The Hammocks, FL
We realize that all the rules and regulations of the Florida workers’ compensation system can be overwhelming. We are here to help. Just call the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine for a free consultation. We handle all work-related injuries and accidents, including car accidents, construction accidents, slip and falls, and more. We do not charge for the initial consultation, and there is no obligation. Let a workers’ compensation lawyer in The Hammocks, FL take care of your case so you can focus on getting well.
We Can Help.
