Am I Covered by Workers’ Compensation?

Most employees are eligible for workers’ compensation coverage, which is the insurance coverage that many companies are required to purchase to cover the costs associated with any of the injuries their employees sustain while on the job.

Most employees are covered, but not all. And most companies are required to purchase this coverage – not all. Whether you are entitled to receive workers’ compensation benefits for your medical bills and other expenses accrued through your work-related injury can depend on your employment classification and whether your company is required to purchase this coverage.

Before starting a new job, talk to the employer to determine if you are entitled to receive workers’ compensation benefits in the event you are injured at work.

What If I am Injured but Not Covered?

If you are not covered by workers’ compensation, you will need to explore other options for seeking compensation. One of these options may be filing a personal injury claim against the party responsible for your injury.

If your accident occurred because of a property owner’s failure to safely maintain his or her property, you may be able to file a premises liability claim. If you were injured because of a malfunctioning piece of equipment on the job, you may be able to file a product liability claim against the faulty piece of equipment’s manufacturer.

Who Is Covered?

Whether you are covered by workers’ compensation or not depends largely on the type of worker you are. As an employee of your company, you are generally covered by Florida’s workers’ compensation law. If you are an agricultural worker, whether you are covered or not depends on the number of individuals your farm employs and the length of time they work each year. Independent contractors are generally not entitled to receive workers’ compensation benefits. If you are unsure about whether you are considered to be an independent contractor, talk to your employer about your status. If you signed a W-2 when you were hired, you are an employee. If you signed a W-9, you are an independent contractor. Sometimes, employers classify employees as independent contractors in an attempt to get around having to provide certain benefits, such as workers’ compensation. If this happens to you, contact an employment attorney immediately. You might need to take legal action against your employer to have your position correctly classified.

Workers’ Compensation Attorneys in Winter Park, Florida

If you are injured at work, seek medical attention for your injury right away. Put your health and safety first; worry about paying for it later. Once you have received a diagnosis and appropriate treatment for your injury, contact Hornsby Law in Winter Park at (407) 499-8887 today to schedule your initial case evaluation with a member of our firm. We can determine if you are entitled to receive workers’ compensation and if so, guide you through the process of seeking compensation this way. If you are not, we will explore other options for you to get the money you need to cover your medical bills and other injury-related expenses. Do not wait to call our firm and get started on your case with us.