In Florida, workers’ compensation insurance is the law. Most employers are required to pay for this insurance for their employees and face serious fines if they don’t. If you’re injured on the job in Miami, Homestead, Ft. Lauderdale, Tampa, or in any other community, workers’ comp may pay benefits that help you pay for your medical bills and help you replace lost income.
If, like many workers, you run into problems when seeking benefits, contact Flaxman Law Group as soon as possible. Our team has more than 60 years of combined experience, and we’d be happy to meet with you in a free accident consultation to discuss how we may be able to help you in your case.
The Workers’ Compensation Claims Process in Florida
Workers’ compensation was designed to make getting benefits easier. The basic idea is that this no-fault insurance meant workers don’t need to sue their employer and wait to get benefits. However, the claims process can still take some time and can involve many steps. If you’re injured at work or are diagnosed with an occupational illness, here are some of the steps you will need to take:
- Report your injury or occupational illness diagnosis to your employer as soon as possible. You have 30 days from the date of your injury or the date you became aware of your condition to notify your employer. If you fail to notify your workplace in a timely fashion, you could lose the right to file a claim. Even if you wait a while, your employer’s insurer may use this against you. It’s always best to report any injury as soon as possible.
- Seek medical attention. If you need medical emergency help, contact 911 from your workplace. Outside of this emergency help, you will need to get treatment from providers approved by your workplace or their insurer. Your employer or their insurance provider should provide you with a list of authorized providers that you can choose from. You have the right to request a change of provider once during your claim.
- Keep documentation. As with any legal claim, it’s useful to keep information in case you need to defend your claim. Keep copies of medical records, your medical appointments, receipts, and any other official paperwork.
- Consult with an experienced workers’ compensation attorney. Your employer and their insurance provider may ask for information about your injury or illness, your medical history, and your work duties. They may ask you to attend medical examinations and evaluations by the insurance company’s doctors. A workers’ compensation attorney can help you navigate this system and can make sure that you get accurate medical evaluations that help you get the workers’ comp benefits you’re rightfully entitled to.
Contact Flaxman Law Group for a free accident consultation
If you have been injured or sickened on the job in Florida, the workers’ compensation process doesn’t always run smoothly. The legal team at Flaxman Law Group has worked with many hard-working employees who have experienced unreasonable delays in getting their benefits, have gotten offers for less than they deserve, or have even had their rightful claims denied.
Unfortunately, insurers have a financial motive to resolve claims inexpensively, even if it means you don’t get all the benefits you need. At Flaxman Law Group, we represent injured workers and know how to handle all types of workers’ compensation cases. We fight for your best interests. Contact us today at 866-352-9626 for a free accident consultation and let us help you get the compensation you need to start rebuilding your life.