What Are The Benefits of Workers' Compensation in Florida?

Workers’ comp in Panama City, Pensacola, and other areas of Florida offers a variety of benefits to those who are injured or ill due to their job. These benefits include medical care, wage replacement, and death benefits for surviving family members. Medical care is provided without cost and includes both physical and mental health services that are necessary for the successful recovery of an employee from a work-related injury or illness.

Wage replacement provides temporary financial support while the employee is unable to return to their job, giving them time to recover. Additionally, death benefits can be used by surviving family members of workers who were killed on the job to help cope with any additional costs associated with their loved one’s passing, such as funeral expenses and managing their assets. By providing assistance and relief through its workers’ compensation system, Florida governs the benefits that the injured worker is entitled.

Workers' compensation cases always involve a lot of paperwork, claims, investigation, and evidence. If you’ve been involved in a traumatic accident, the last thing you need is to be going back and forth with your employers trying to prove your case with a never-ending stream of paperwork. Instead, your recovery should be your main priority.

At Wettermark Keith, our workers' comp attorneys are able to build your case, compare your options, and advise you throughout the entire process, making this stressful time slightly more bearable for you.

Are You Eligible For Workers’ Compensation?

In Florida, employers with four or more employees (full-time or part-time) are required to provide workers’ compensation coverage to their employees. Nearly all employees, excluding independent contractors or the self-employed, must have Florida workers’ compensation. Employers who fail to have workers’ compensation insurance may face penalties from regulators.

It is important to note that individuals that are classified as independent contractors or volunteers may not be covered under the state's workers’ compensation laws, unless they have been specifically included in their employer's policy. In addition to being employed by a company operating within the state of Florida, employees must also have suffered from an injury or illness that is related directly or indirectly to their job duties in order to receive benefits through this system.

Your accident must be reported to your employer within 30 days of suffering from said injury or illness; however, it is strongly advised to report your accident as soon as possible. Your employer then has up to 7 days to report your injury to their insurance company. Otherwise, it may not be possible to obtain coverage and benefits from the program. The, The insurance company must send you an informational brochure within 3 days of receiving the report from your employer. This brochure will list out your rights and responsibilities. It will also provide more information about the workers' compensation law in Florida. You can find a copy of this brochure here.

If you employer refuses to report the incident to their insurance company, you have full rights to report the injury to them yourself. If you need assistance, do not hesitate to contact a workers' compensation attorney at Wettermark Keith for further guidance.

Is There a Time Limit For Contacting Workers' Compensation Lawyers in Florida After an Injury?

In the state of Florida, including all beach areas and cities, all workers’ compensation claims must be filed within 30 days from the incident the injury or illness was incurred.There is an exception for special circumstances, such as individuals who have been diagnosed with a condition that has developed over time due to occupational exposure. If these special circumstances apply to you or a loved one, we encourage you to speak to a workers' compensation attorney from Wettermark Keith as soon as possible.

If any employee fails to submit the necessary documentation and/or paperwork outlining details of an incident resulting in harm incurred before the expiration date, then their case may be dismissed without further review, ruining the chance for recovery. It is important for those searching for relief through this process to understand there are certain exceptions where claimants may still receive benefits even after the filing deadline has passed.

These instances include catastrophic injuries that can take an extended period of time before being recognized by medical personnel, as well as situations where an employer fraudulently denied coverage knowing that the employee had a valid claim against them.

If you're worried that you have reached the time limit for your workers' comp case, it's recommended that you consult an experienced workers' comp attorney to ensure compliance with applicable laws, maximizing the potential outcome of a successful workers’ compensation claim.