Even though you may be entitled to Workers’ Compensation benefits after a workplace injury, that does not mean getting paid by your employer’s insurer is easy. Workers’ Compensation claims can be confusing and lengthy, and having a lawyer to advocate for you can make all the difference.

Your first steps after a workplace injury should be to get immediate medical attention, report the injury to your employer, and confirm with our lawyers whether or not Workers’ Compensation covers your injury. Medical benefits, lost wage benefits, impairment income benefits, and death benefits are possible Workers’ Compensation benefits in Florida, and our lawyers can help you recover all the benefits available to you during your claim.

For a confidential, free case review from the Graves Injury Law Firm, call our Workers’ Compensation lawyers today at (305) 614-2767.

What Should Be Your First Steps After a Work Injury in Coral Gables?

What you do in the minutes, hours, and days following a workplace injury can affect your future Workers’ Compensation claim, so prioritize seeking medical care and reporting the accident.

Get Medical Attention Immediately

Your top priority after a workplace accident should be getting medical attention. Do not hesitate to call 911 and request an ambulance if you hit your head during a fall, sustain deep lacerations, or suffer any other concerning injuries while working.

You can seek emergency treatment from any hospital in Florida, and Workers’ Compensation should still cover it. For ongoing treatment, however, you must see a physician authorized by your employer or their insurer for the insurer to cover medical expenses.

Report the Injury to Your Employer

Report an injury to your employer as soon as possible. You technically have 30 days from the accident date to inform your employer, but you should not wait that long. The longer you wait to inform your employer, the longer the insurer goes uninformed about your accident, and the longer it takes for you to get anything from Workers’ Compensation.

Confirm Your Case with Our Lawyers

Confirm your deserved damages from your employer’s insurer and that you have a case with our Workers’ Compensation lawyers. Workers’ Compensation covers most workplace injuries, barring exceptions for employees who intentionally injure themselves. If you sustained injuries while working, Workers’ Compensation should apply, even if you made a mistake and accidentally injured yourself.

What Damages Can You Get from Workers’ Comp in Florida?

You can get Workers’ Compensation benefits that cover all medical bills and a large portion of your lost wages. Sometimes, additional benefits are payable to injured workers or surviving family members after fatal workplace accidents.

Medical Benefits

Workers’ Compensation should pay all medical expenses related to a workplace injury, provided the injured worker sees an employer-authorized primary doctor or specialist. If that requirement is satisfied, your employer’s Workers’ Compensation insurer can be billed for all medically necessary hospitalizations, prescription medications, prostheses, surgeries, physical therapy, and other medical costs.

Lost Wages

Compensation for lost wages depends on the extent of your disability. If you cannot work at all temporarily, you may receive temporary total disability benefits equaling 66 2/3% of your wages when injured for up to 104 weeks. For catastrophic injuries, workers might get up to 80% of their pre-injury income. If you can never return to work after reaching maximum medical improvement, you may continue receiving lost wage benefits after 104 weeks.

The equation to calculate wage-replacement benefits for temporary partial disability is complicated, and our lawyers can estimate what your weekly benefit would be in this scenario.

Impairment Income Benefits

If, after you reach maximum medical improvement, you are still unable to return to your previous earning capacity or position, your physician may issue an impairment rating and a recommendation for permanent work restrictions that permanently limit your earning capacity. Any impairment rating over 0% gets you extra money from Workers’ Compensation.

Death Benefits

If a worker dies from workplace injuries within the first year of the accident or within five years of continuous disability, their surviving spouse and children may get Workers’ Compensation death benefits totaling $150,000.

Workers’ Comp FAQs Answered by Our Lawyers

How Long Do You Have to Pursue Damages from Workers’ Comp in Coral Gables?

You have up to 2 years to pursue damages from your Workers’ Compensation carrier. Waiting can be detrimental to your case, so do not wait the full 2 years if you can avoid it.

Does Workers’ Comp Cover All Workplace Injuries in Florida?

Workers’ Compensation is a no-fault system. Any injuries you sustain while performing work-related duties on the job are covered. Workplace injuries are not covered if they are self-inflicted and willful or are sustained when an employee is under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Does Workers’ Comp Cover All Medical Treatments for Workplace Injuries?

In general, Workers’ Compensation only covers all medically necessary treatments provided by employer-approved physicians. There is an exception to this rule for emergency medical care, so do not worry about getting those bills covered by Workers’ Compensation.

How Long Can You Get Workers’ Comp Benefits After a Workplace Injury?

You can receive temporary total disability benefits and temporary partial disability benefits for up to 104 weeks. If your benefits transition into permanent total disability benefits once you reach maximum medical improvement, you can most likely get payments until you turn 75 in Florida.

For certain obviously permanent injuries, you can often go on permanent total disability right away instead of waiting 104 weeks.

What Happens if You Accept a Workers’ Comp Settlement in Coral Gables?

If you settle your Workers’ Compensation claim for a lump sum instead of opting for regular payments over time, you could end up having to pay future medical expenses not covered by the settlement. Do not sign any settlement agreement without having a knowledge attorney review it.

Get Our Help with Your Workers’ Comp Case

Call the Graves Injury Law Firm at (305) 614-2767 for a free case discussion with our Workers’ Compensation lawyers.