- Workers' Compensation
Workers’ compensation is commonly referred to as “workers comp.” It is a government-mandated program that provides benefits to workers who become injured or ill on the job or as a result of their job. It is an effective disability insurance program for workers, providing them reimbursements for their loss like cash benefits, healthcare benefits, or both to workers who suffer injury or illness as a direct result of their jobs.
Employers are obligated to take reasonable care and maintain their workplaces to keep them safe for the employees. But accidents are inevitable, and when work-related accidents happen, the employer must provide coverage for your loss like medical care and compensation for a portion of the income you lose while being unable to return to work.
It also protects employers from lawsuits by workers injured while working. Workers receive benefits regardless of who was at fault in the accident. The business employers purchase compensation insurance, and insurance companies underwrite it.
In some cases, the employer and the insurance companies deny your claim. Hiring a dedicated workers’ compensation attorney will give you a much better chance of obtaining the benefits you deserve. A Miami workers’ compensation lawyer with WorkInjuryRights.Com can help with your case.
How Is Workers’ Compensation Insurance Cost Determined In Miami, Florida?
Each state exhibits distinct workers’ compensation insurance laws, patterns, and costs. Similar businesses are arranged into groups termed “classes.” Workers comp premiums are based on the job categorizations of injured employees. These classifications can also reflect the riskiness of the job.
The payroll of the business and the past workers’ comp claims also impact workers’ compensation premiums. The worker’s compensation rates for each class can be determined based on prior five years of loss costs for all businesses.
This creates an equitable system where rates are charged commensurate with the actual loss experience of the class of business. Economic factors for each state are then overlaid onto this data to determine the rate for each class in a given state.
Workers comp insurance costs an average of $1 for every $100 in payroll. This average varies considerably by state.
Who Is Required To Carry Workers’ Compensation Insurance?
All states, with some exceptions, require businesses to purchase workers’ compensation coverage for the employees. An employer must buy workers’ compensation insurance.
Businesses that fail to provide compensation coverage to their employees can face costly consequences like payment of claims out of pocket, fines, possible imprisonment, and losing the right to conduct business in the state.
What Does Workers Compensation Insurance Cover In Miami?
Workers’ compensation insurance exclusively works to cover costs related to work injuries. Coverage includes everything from ambulance rides to medication and even therapies.
Here are some benefits covered by workers’ compensation insurance:
Medical Expenses
Workers’ compensation insurance covers all kinds of medical expenses like hospital visits, medications, and emergency surgeries.
Lost Wages
Employees need time to recover from work-related illnesses or injuries. They may lose their wages while being away from work. Workers’ compensation insurance helps cover lost wages.
Disability
Workers’ compensation insurance offers disability benefits if the work-related injury results in partial or permanent disability.
Ongoing Treatment Costs
The insurance also covers ongoing treatment expenses such as physical or psychological therapy.
Death Benefits
Workers’ compensation also offers death benefits that include funeral costs and survivor benefits for the worker’s family.
Miami workers’ comp benefits are compulsory to be paid, irrespective of who is at fault. And workers’ compensation laws prevent employees from suing their employers for a work-related injury or illness.
What Types Of Injuries Are Covered By Workers’ Compensation?
If you get injured on the job, workers’ comp can help you pay your medical costs. About 30% of workers’ comp cases involve injuries like sprains and strains. These usually happen while lifting heavy objects. In most cases, such injuries take about 10-12 days before you recover and can return to work. Jobs and activities that see the most sprains and strains include:
- Labor
- Freight
- Stock
- Material moving
- Nursing assistants
The second most frequent workers’ comp cases are for falls, slips, and trips making up almost 27% of claims.
Workers’ comp doesn’t only include workplace injuries, either. It also helps cover employee illnesses, like someone getting sick from chemicals at work. Workers’ comp cases also include the following work-related injuries:
- Violence
- Terrorism
- Natural disasters
How Do You File a Workers’ Compensation Claim In Miami, Florida?
If an employee is injured on the job or gets sick as a direct result of their work, it is vital to notify their employer promptly. The employer should ensure the injured employee gets any urgent medical attention.
Miami workers’ compensation claims should be filed right away. The employee should fill out a workers’ compensation claim form with details of the incident. If approved, benefits will be provided to the employee. Here are some steps to follow while filing a compensation claim:
- Write down the details of the injury or illness in detail, with photos and the names of witnesses as soon as possible.
- Report the injury or illness to your employer. The employer should be responsible for filing your claim with the insurer.
- You can also follow through with the employer’s insurance company to make sure a claim was filed.
- If your claim is denied, you can appeal the decision with your state’s workers’ compensation board.
- Hire a professional workers’ compensation or personal injury attorney to support your compensation claim.
Make sure to follow the deadlines, while filing the claim.
How A Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Can Help Your Case
Multiple entities are involved in a single work injury claim including insurance providers, medical specialists, business employees, and the state’s workers’ comp board. Unfortunately, employers or the respective insurance companies can deny workers’ comp claims, leaving injured employees to face a complicated system of appeals.
A professional attorney can help evaluate the details of a workers’ comp case to ensure an employee receives proper benefits. The lawyers look over medical and business records to determine the extent of the injury or previous safety violations.
WorkInjuryRights.Com has a team of competent Miami work injury attorneys who can help you build a strong case. We offer quality legal service for worker’s compensation claims. You can contact us today for a free consultation!
