Compensable Work Injuries in Fort Myers

Despite the employer’s best efforts to keep the workplace safe and healthy, accidents can happen and it is the employees that are most at risk. Employees in all types of workplaces can become injured and develop conditions from the environment or activities they experience day in and day out. But the important thing to know is that there is compensation available to ease the financial impact of a workplace injury.

We know what injuries and conditions qualify as compensable work injuries in Fort Myers. Our knowledgeable experts at Work Injury Rights in Fort Myers, Florida have extensive experience in worker’s compensation cases and ensuring that employee’s rights are respected when they have been injured in the course of their professional duties.

If you have suffered from a workplace accident or unhealthy workplace conditions, we can help. Allow an experienced workers’ compensation expert from Work Injury Rights to guide you through the complex world of compensable work injuries in Fort Myers and get the financial aid you need to make a recovery. Call our Fort Myers workers’ comp lawyers at 954-833-5226 today for a free consultation.

What Are Compensable Work Injuries in Fort Myers, Florida?

Despite the “safe” nature of most workplaces, employees can suffer accidents and develop physical conditions in just about any line of work. Many of these injuries are categorized as “compensable” which means that the person who suffered the injury is entitled to compensation. “Compensable” injuries are those that occur within the workplace and in the regular course of professional duties.

So if you were hurt during your lunch break, this isn’t covered by workers’ compensation. Here are some of the most common injuries and conditions that can be suffered in the normal course of professional duty and are usually considered compensable work injuries in Fort Myers:

• Strains and sprains
• Contusions
• Cuts and lacerations
• Inflammation injuries
• Inhaling toxic fumes
• Loss of Hearing
• Bone fractures.

These alone can account for the majority of workplace injuries and are typically caused by the following situations, many of which are avoidable:

Lifting

Employees can injure their back by lifting or straining against heavy objects.

Fatigue

When an employee pushes themselves beyond their mental or physical capacity, their function is greatly impaired and this can lead to situations that can result in serious injuries.

Poor Lighting

Workplaces that are not properly illuminated are accidents waiting to happen. Poor visibility can make it hard to navigate around hazards and trips and falls are common.

Hazardous Materials, Substances, and Fumes

Many employees handle or work in close proximity to dangerous substances. Without protective clothing and equipment as well as safety procedures, the dangers of contacting or inhaling these hazardous substances can be serious.

Acts of Workplace Violence

Unfortunately, more and more instances of violence in the workplace are occurring. Many times these can be prevented through peer intervention or conflict resolution as well as efforts to reduce stress and tension in the workplace.

Trips and Falls

One of the most common accidents can happen for a great variety of reasons. Spilled liquids, cables running across walkways, and poor lighting conditions set the scene for accidents and all kinds of injuries.

Stress

Stress is the plague of modern society and undue levels of stress can impair judgment and reduce physical and mental function. This can lead to employees making errors that result in accidents.

Not Covered by Workers’ Comp

It is also important to know that not every injury suffered in the workplace will be considered compensable work injuries in Fort Myers. For example, many people who have suffered a heart attack will be quick to blame the high stress of their job for this unfortunate incident. But this is not considered compensable work injuries.

If you were rocking back in your chair, and fall and hurt yourself, this would also not be covered because it would not be considered compensable work injuries in Fort Myers. Employees won’t receive workers’ compensation if they were hurt because they didn’t follow safety rules.

What About Pre-Existing Conditions and Injuries?

In some situations, you may be suffering from a preexisting condition that has been affected or aggravated by a workplace condition or accident. Your employer or their insurance providers may try to deny your claim for workers’ compensation because you had this condition beforehand, but you may still have rights. In such a situation, it is important to contact an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer who can advise you about your compensable work injuries in Fort Myers.

What Types of Compensation Can I Claim?

Florida applies the concept of “No Fault” when assigning workers’ compensation benefits. This basically means that you do no need to prove that your employee was negligent in their management of the workplace to receive compensation. So long as your injury was suffered at your workplace or in the line of your professional duties, you are entitled to compensation.

Here are the benefits available to you for your compensable work injuries in Fort Myers:

• Temporary disability benefits
• Reasonable and necessary medical care
• Vocational rehabilitation if you are no longer capable of performing your job
• Impairment benefits for permanent limitations and amputations.

How Long Do You Have to File for Workers’ Compensation in Florida?

There is a time limit in which you will have to file for workers’ compensation. You will have 30 days to notify your employer of the injury and the accident or you lose your rights to compensation altogether. If you are suffering a condition that has been caused or severely aggravated by your workplace environment or professional activities, you will have 30 days from the date you were made aware of the connection between the condition and your work by a doctor’s diagnosis to report your injury and file a claim as a compensable work injury in Fort Myers.

It is always best to try and solve the matter with your employer first. But if your claim is denied, you will need to file a petition for benefits within two years of the accident. It is highly recommended to have this important document prepared by an experienced workers’ comp attorney to ensure the highest chances of success in obtaining the compensation due for your compensable work injuries in Fort Myers.

Find Out If You Have Compensable Work Injuries in Fort Myers, Florida

The process of obtaining your worker’s compensation can be very complex and having an experienced guide to provide some guidance can give you the best chance of success. If you have been injured in a workplace accident or are suffering a condition caused by workplace conditions or the nature of your professional duties, don’t wait another day.

Call Work Injury Rights at 954-833-5226 to schedule a free consultation with a Fort Myers workers’ compensation attorney. We will apply our skills and experience in addressing your case and getting the compensation you are entitled to for your compensable work injuries in Fort Myers.