Getting hurt at work may mean your employer is responsible for providing you with financial protection as a result of the accident. Yet, knowing what your losses are may not always be straightforward and easy for you to determine. It is critical to know your rights and when they go into place after any type of incident that occurs while working. At Ara Work Injury Law, we encourage you to be proactive in reaching out to a workers’ compensation lawyer in Jupiter, Florida, if you do not believe your rights are being met.
What Benefits Can I Get Under Florida Workers’ Comp?
Under Florida’s workers’ compensation laws, most employers must provide employees with financial compensation for injuries or illnesses sustained at work or while engaging in work-related tasks. Workers’ compensation provides the following:
- Compensation for any medical expenses associated with the injury, including hospital visits and doctor’s appointments
- Lost wages, in some cases
If you are unable to work for 8 days or longer, you will then be eligible to claim lost wages. Most workers can receive e 66-⅔% of their average weekly wage, paid biweekly to you. If your injuries prevent you from working for more than 21 days, you will also receive compensation for wages for those first 7 days.
In cases of severe injuries, the law also allows individuals to receive up to 80% of their regular wages. This can continue for up to six months after the date of the injury.
Why You Need to Apply for Workers’ Compensation
Worker’s Compensation laws in Florida are based upon a no-fault system. Workers’ compensation covers your losses if you are hurt as a result of something you were doing while working. Keep in mind that this is a benefit to both you and the employer when it works the way it should. It is faster and more efficient to file a claim and receive compensation for the accident.
Not all cases are like this. There are times when you may need to seek additional coverage. The law allows you to do that. With the help of our experienced worker’s compensation attorney, you will gain more insight and guidance into your specific rights in these cases.
When to Act if You Are Hurt on the Job
If you are hurt while engaging in work activities, you have 30 days to report the accident to your employer. That includes injuries from repetitive trauma or chemical exposure while on the job. Sometimes, these injuries happen over time due to ongoing exposure. That makes them harder to detect. Yet, it is critical to act as soon as possible after an accident or diagnosis of an illness to protect your right to fair compensation.
In situations where you are unsure if you have a case or you are not sure if it has been too long to take action, reach out to our work injury attorney in South Florida right away. Our legal team will provide you with transparent insight into your rights. We are here to help you and provide the information you need. Do not assume you will be treated fairly.
When Do Employers Carry Workers’ Compensation Insurance in Florida?
A variety of factors play a role in determining if an employer must carry workers’ compensation coverage. Most of the time, including in all non-construction industry businesses, employers with 4 or more employees must obtain workers’ compensation coverage for employees. That includes business owners and corporate officers within a Limited Liability Company.
Within the construction industry, an employer with one or more employees, which includes the owner, must carry workers’ compensation insurance. In the agricultural industry, this figure is 6 employees and/or 12 seasonal workers who work more than 30 days during the season and more than a total of 45 days in the same calendar year.
What Benefits Can I Obtain From Workers’ Compensation?
To obtain benefits from workers’ compensation, seek medical care, report your claim to your provider, and then document all losses you have to determine if you are receiving all the benefits you are entitled to under the law. Injured workers may receive benefits that include:
- Authorized primary doctor and specialist care when medically necessary
- Authorized medically necessary care related to an injury, such as hospitalization care, physical therapy, medications, attendant care, prosthesis, and physical therapy
- Mileage reimbursement for travel both to and from your doctor and pharmacy
- Lost wages if you miss more than 8 days of work
- Temporary partial disability in which you can return to work with restrictions, allowing you to make up the difference in lost wages (up to 80% of your normal wages)
- Impairment benefits, which apply when your doctor says you have reached Maximum Medical Improvement
- Permanent total disability coverage, meaning you cannot work again
Working with a Florida work injury lawyer enables you to get insight into what your case is worth. As a trusted workers’ compensation law firm in Jupiter, we know that documenting these losses, proving that they were caused at work, and building a case to protect your financial health is challenging. That is why we offer free, comprehensive consultations to discuss your case.
Hire Florida Work Injury Lawyer Ara Gechijian
When you are hurt at work, the most important thing you can do after reporting your injury and getting medical care is to hire an attorney who can represent you. Our workers’ compensation lawyer in Jupiter, Florida, has the skill and knowledge to know how to minimize the risks to your future. We work very closely with our clients, ensuring exceptional legal insight and holding insurance companies accountable.
Schedule a Free Consultation with a Work Injury Attorney in South Florida Now
If you were hurt on the job, you deserve compensation. Contact Ara Work Injury Law at 561.934.3272 to discuss your injury and losses in a free consultation with our team. Put your trust in our legal team to maximize your claim benefits. We offer free consultations with no obligations.
