Have you suffered an injury caused by a workplace accident? It could be a broken arm, a twisted neck, or back injuries as a result of lifting heavy loads.
You need to work with the best workers compensation lawyer at Florida Lawyers 360 in The Villages to ensure you receive your benefits.
Call our personal injury lawyers at 954-448-7355 for a free consultation about your workers’ compensation case. We are here to help.
Understanding Workers’ Compensation Insurance in Florida
Under Florida law, employers with a certain number of employees must have workers’ compensation insurance. The coverage is used to pay benefits to employees who have been injured on the job.
Once you file a workers’ compensation claim, you can receive financial assistance for medical treatment or loss of wages. You need to meet certain requirements so that you can receive your benefits.
That’s why you need to work with the best workers compensation lawyer at Florida Lawyers 360 today.
Florida relies on the no-fault worker’s compensation system. You don’t have to show the employer that you were careless so as to receive benefits.
As long as your injury happened at work or was caused by your work activities, you will be eligible for benefits.
These benefits include:
- Temporary disability benefits
- Impairment benefits
- Medical care
- Vocational rehabilitation
Why Do You Need a Lawyer for a Workers’ Compensation Claim in the Villages, FL?
Not all workers’ compensation claims require an attorney. The compensation process in this case is designed to be easy for everyone to navigate. You can handle your own claim if there is no dispute from the employer or the insurance company.
However, it might not always be this simple. If your claim is complicated, you need to hire the best workers compensation lawyer at Florida Lawyers 360.
Note that insurance companies will not dispute claims such as the following:
- If the injuries are clearly work-related.
- If you don’t need extensive medical treatment for your injuries.
- If the injuries don’t force you to take long periods off work.
- If you don’t suffer permanent injuries as a result of a workplace accident
When this happens, the claim should be straightforward enough and you don’t need to hire a lawyer. However, if there is a dispute with the insurance company, it’s prudent to hire a lawyer immediately.
When you hire Florida Lawyers 360, we are ready to gather the required evidence to challenge the insurance company’s position. Here are some of the reasons why you should hire us today for your workers’ compensation claim.
Claim Is Denied
Insurance companies might deny the claim for many reasons. For instance, if you filed the claim too late or if the insurance company says the injuries are not work-related, your claim will be denied.
We can help you appeal the denial through the workers’ compensation system. We can help with the formal paperwork, gather evidence, and present your case at an appeals hearing to ensure that you receive fair compensation.
Disputed Permanent Disability Rating
Most of the workers’ compensation awards and settlements are usually for permanent disability benefits. They are usually calculated depending on your permanent disability rating.
If the insurance company disputes this rating, you must see an independent physician who might assign a lower rating. If this happens in your case, we will convince the judge that you deserve a higher rating.
Pre-Existing Condition
Do you have a preexisting injury or condition in the same area affected by the workplace accident? Well, the insurance company might dispute your workers’ compensation claim.
They are likely going to blame the injury on the preexisting condition instead of the workplace accident. We are here to help by acquiring the necessary evidence to prove that the preexisting condition didn’t lead to the injuries.
Trouble Getting Treatment
Most insurance companies will delay or deny the approval of expensive medical treatments, especially surgery. However, by working with the best workers compensation lawyer in The Villages, FL, you are in good hands.
At Florida Lawyers 360, we can put pressure on the insurance company so that they can approve the medical treatments as soon as possible.
Ability To Work Affected
Do you have trouble getting back to work after suffering a workplace injury? Well, you need to make sure that your compensation benefits will last you into the future.
For instance, if you are forced to change your career or get training for a new job, we are here to help. We can make sure that the insurance company pays for the vocational rehabilitation required to handle your new job.
Receiving Other Government Benefits
Note that, if you are receiving other government benefits such as social security disability insurance benefits, they might be reduced once you receive workers’ compensation benefits.
We understand the regulations covering such benefits so we can make sure that they are not reduced completely.
Workers’ Compensation Hearing
If the insurance company doesn’t settle or makes the lowest offer possible, the next step is going to court. Since it’s a trial, we can represent you and make sure that you receive the compensation you deserve.
Don’t worry about the legal fees because we work on a contingency basis. You will only pay us a percentage of the compensation amount you receive.
We will work diligently to make sure that you are compensated before we can request legal fees. With our experience and expert negotiation skills, we can make sure that you receive a higher compensation amount.
What to Do After a Workplace Accident
It’s important to do the following after you’ve been injured at work:
Notify Your Employer
You have a period of 30 days to report the injury to your employer. If something else develops with time, you should notify your employer within 30 days after discovery.
If you don’t adhere to these deadlines, you are likely going to lose all or some of your benefits. When notifying your employer, you should provide as many details as possible such as:
- when it happened;
- how you hurt yourself;
- and any symptoms you are experiencing.
Visit a Doctor
Ask your employer to recommend an authorized doctor to handle your treatment. Make sure you follow the doctor’s instructions if you want to get better and receive compensation.
Write Down Everything Regarding Your Injuries
Make sure you have a written record of all your injuries and symptoms. If something new develops even after treatment, make sure it is noted down. These notes will come in handy when seeking a compensation claim.
Take Videos and Photos
Besides the written account of your injuries, you also need to have photographic evidence of the injuries. These will have a realistic rendering of the injuries for the insurance company.
File a Workers’ Compensation Claim
Now, you can file a worker’s compensation claim. Thanks to Florida Lawyers 360, we can help you file a claim and get the compensation benefits you deserve after suffering a workplace injury.
A petition for benefits must be filed within two years from the time the injury occurred.
What is My Workers’ Compensation Claim Worth?
Your employer’s insurance company is responsible for paying out your workers’ comp claim. At first, the insurance company might give you a lowball offer or deny the claim.
However, by working with us, we can make sure that you receive fair compensation.
You deserve compensation for the following:
- Medical bills as long as you have been treated by authorized doctors.
- Rehabilitation costs resulting from your injuries including vocational rehab.
- Lost wages
- Prescriptions
- Travel expenses related to the treatment of your workplace injuries.
- Loss of earning capacity that is 2/3 of your average weekly wage up to a maximum of $575 every week.
- Permanent partial disability that is awarded when the doctor issues a disability rating in accordance with the American Medical Association Guidelines.
Can I Sue My Employer?
If you have suffered a workplace injury and have received workers’ compensation insurance, you can’t sue your employer for personal injury compensation.
The workers’ compensation insurance coverage protects employers from personal injury lawsuits in the event of a workplace accident.
Can I Be Fired For Filing a Workers’ Comp Claim?
No, your employer can’t fire you for filing a workers’ compensation claim. If there is workers’ compensation coverage, you are entitled to compensation benefits after suffering a workplace injury.
Can an Independent Contractor File a Workers’ Compensation Claim in Florida?
No! If you are an independent contractor, you are not eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. Only employees qualify since the law only recognizes employees in a workers’ compensation coverage.
The only instance where an independent worker can seek workers’ compensation is if they work or perform services in the construction industry.
Contact The Villages Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Today
There are different types of workplace accidents that can cause injuries. If you have been injured as a result of a workplace accident, call Florida Lawyers 360.
We have extensive experience in handling workers’ compensation claims and are prepared to start working on yours today.
If you don’t have the legal expertise, you might end up losing your case, especially when negotiating with insurance companies. We can make sure your case isn’t dismissed by using our extensive knowledge of workers’ compensation claims.
We can also negotiate with the insurance companies on your behalf to avoid getting a lowball settlement offer.
Choose our Florida workers’ compensation law firm and you can rest assured that your claim is in the best hands. Call us today! We are here to help!
