- Workers' Compensation
Workers compensation insurance is coverage purchased by an employer or business owner that provides benefits for job-related employee injuries, with a few exceptions. Under Florida workers’ compensation laws, the insurance pays for medical care, ongoing physical therapy, disability benefits, lost wages, and other benefits should an employee get hurt or sick in a work-related incident.
The best way for an employee to protect their rights under the workers’ compensation system is to retain legal counsel. You can acquire assistance from a professional attorney specializing in this area of the law. Our lawyers are accustomed to dealing with emotionally-charged proceedings or employers and insurance companies denying your claim.
If you have sustained an injury while doing your job, Work Injury Rights and the workers’ compensation lawyers in Fort Lauderdale can help you determine if you have a compensable injury case.
State Laws for Workers’ Compensation
The state laws regulate and maintain the workers’ compensation insurance. Thus each state has different rules and regulations for injury compensation. Therefore you should thoroughly research the laws in your state to find the requirements for your business or consult with a licensed agent.
Generally, the number of employees in a company determines whether a business needs workers’ compensation insurance. But most often, it is obligatory to purchase compensation insurance as soon as you hire your first employee.
Workers’ compensation laws protect people who become injured or disabled while working at their jobs. The law provides the injured workers with fixed monetary allowances to eliminate the need for prosecution. These laws also provide benefits for dependents of workers killed because of work-related accidents or illnesses.
Florida workers’ compensation laws require most employers to purchase workers’ compensation coverage. Under a workers’ compensation policy, employees are compensated for occupationally incurred injuries, regardless of the fault. This coverage makes employers immune to injury lawsuits by employees.
In Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the Division of Workers’ Compensation within the Department of Financial Services (DFS) is the central regulator for confirming that employees receive proper benefits under this coverage. This includes coverage for medical expenses, disability, or death. The Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) also provides significant oversight for those writing workers’ compensation coverage in Florida.
OIR regulates the rates, forms, and financial solvency for workers’ compensation insurers as part of its purpose to sustain a concentrated and competitive market. It also helps maintain protections for the insurance-buying public.
What Qualifies As a Work-Related Injury In Fort Lauderdale, Florida?
Under Florida workers’ compensation laws, a work-related injury is one that happened while you were doing something on behalf of your employer or otherwise in the procedure of employment.
Injuries classified as work-related are not only those that occur at the workplace but also may happen outside the company premises. For instance, work-related injuries are possible in company-owned trucks and other locations. This is true as long as the employee was doing something associated with their job, and this includes company parties and other social events sponsored by an employer, but not necessarily on company-owned property.
To determine whether the injury can be considered work-related, it is vital to conclude that the workplace or work environment directly contributed to the injury. This includes:
- Building
- Equipment
- Machinery
- Demands of the job
- Negligence
- Environment
- Conditions
- Atmosphere
All full-time, part-time, temporary, and seasonal workers are covered by insurance under Florida workers’ compensation laws, from the time they start working.
If you aren’t sure whether you’re eligible for workers’ compensation, you can check with your employer or the insurance company regarding your legal rights.
Here is a closer look at some of the most common claims that qualify for workers’ compensation in Fort Lauderdale, Florida:
According to Florida workers’ compensation laws, you only have 30 days from the date of injury to inform your employer, preferably in writing, about such an event. It is vital to notify your employer as soon as you are capable of doing so.
Moreover, if you are still confused regarding the expiration of your eligibility for filing a claim, an experienced and competent attorney can help you navigate the often complicated workers’ compensation claims process.
How Do I File a Claim Based on Florida Workers’ Compensation Laws?
You can start the process by filing and submitting the WC-14 Form with the State’s Board of Workers’ Compensation. You must submit a copy of the same form to your employer or the business owner and their respective insurance carrier.
You can easily get this form from Florida’s State Board of Workers’ Compensation website. Most employers prepare the form beforehand for their employees when they are injured.
Each insurance company provides a list of medical care providers that the workers can visit for medical care after a workplace injury.
Under Florida workers’ compensation laws, your employer is obligated to give you a list of authorized health care providers who can help you recover, and the insurance carrier will subsequently pay for the authorized medical treatment.
The process of filing a workers’ compensation claim in Fort Lauderdale, Florida is by no means complicated. However, some employers and insurance companies can’t always be trusted to fulfill their roles.
You can get all the information, forms, and assistance from the Fort Lauderdale workers’ compensation agency. In the unlikely event that your employer refuses to cooperate with you in filing a claim, calling your local workers’ comp office will usually help in this situation.
What Happens After You File a Workers’ Comp Claim?
After you successfully file a claim, the insurance company will investigate whether to approve or deny your claim, as per Florida workers’ compensation laws. The insurer will inform you what it decided, usually within two to four weeks. In some states, if your claim isn’t denied by the deadline, it will automatically be considered approved.
Call Our Trusted Lawyers for Help With the Workers’ Comp Claims Process in Fort Lauderdale
If you have been involved in a workplace accident or fell sick while on the job (due to the environment), you may be eligible for medical and financial benefits from your employer.
As you focus on recovering from the injuries, you require a competent legal representation to help you navigate Florida workers’ compensation laws and every aspect of the claims process.
The Work Injury Rights team of Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorneys is competent enough to guide and handle all the necessary paperwork for the workers’ compensation claims process in Fort Lauderdale to ensure the best outcome for your claim.
