Do You Need to Hire a Florida Workers’ Compensation Attorney?
There are laws and regulations in place that help make Florida’s workplaces safer; however, accidents can still happen. Unfortunately, insurance companies are always trying to find ways in which they can either deny your claim or reduce the payout. They may claim that your injuries are not related to a workplace accident or they were already pre-existing.
This is why you need to hire an Orlando workers’ compensation attorney. At Payer Law, our experienced attorneys are ready to fight for you. Having a workplace accident attorney on your side can increase your chances of a favorable outcome in your worker’s compensation case.
Some industries are more prone to workplace accidents due to the inherent nature of their jobs, like miners or construction workers. However, workplace accidents can happen to anyone — from the office receptionist to the warehouse forklift operator. Workplace accidents can even leave employees disabled, either temporarily or on a more permanent basis.
Reasons to Retain a Florida Workers’ Compensation Attorney
There are numerous reasons why you should consider retaining an attorney. Because workers’ compensation carriers regularly deny claims, you could end up waiting weeks for approvals and treatment. It’s understandable that as an employee, you are nervous about making a claim, as you fear retaliation from your employer, or even termination. Under Florida law, employers are prohibited from retaliating against you for making a claim. They cannot even threaten to fire you. If your employer tells you not to file a claim and keep your injuries under wraps, you definitely need to speak with an Orlando workplace attorney right away.
Available Benefits Under Workers’ Compensation Laws in Florida
Depending on the nature of your injuries and the circumstances of your accident, you or your loved ones could be entitled to a wide variety of benefits, including:
- Medical visits, including emergency room, doctors’ visits, x-rays and other diagnostic tests, physical therapy, hospitalization, surgery, prescriptions, and more;
- Disability benefits — temporary disability, including temporary partial, temporary total disability, and permanent total disability benefits; or
- Death benefits.
Who is Entitled to Workers’ Compensation Benefits?
Employers who employ four or more employees are required to have workers’ compensation insurance. If your employer is in the construction industry, they are required to provide benefits even if they only have you as their sole employee. Eligibility for workers’ compensation benefits is pretty narrowly defined, and includes anyone who is:
- A full-time worker;
- A part-time worker;
- A minor;
- An alien (either lawfully or unlawfully employed);
- Under an employment contract or appointment, which can be written or verbal; or
- A prisoner on an inmate work-release program.
There are a number of other people who are not eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. These people include independent contractors, volunteers, casual laborers that are hired for specific jobs that last less than 10 days, a professional athlete, or a nanny or a domestic worker in your private home.
To be eligible for benefits, an employee must have been injured in the course and scope of their employment. This means the injury had to occur while you were involved in an activity that is directly related to your job duties.
Contact Our Office Today
If you have questions or need assistance with your Orlando workers’ compensation claim, contact the Payer Law at 407-307-2979 today to schedule an initial consultation.
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