Workers’ Compensation: Know Your Rights and Get the Money You Deserve

In 2013, more than three million Americans reported that they had been injured at work. Workplace injuries occur across industries – anything from slipping and falling on an employer’s property to being injured by heavy construction equipment during the workday can be considered a work-related injury. Individuals who suffer from work-related injuries are eligible to seek workers’ compensation, a form of insurance that covers injuries sustained in the workplace.

It is crucial that you seek medical attention as soon as possible following your injury. Even if your injury does not appear to be serious, it could become much more dangerous if left untreated. It is also much more difficult to receive monetary compensation for your injury if you can not prove that a doctor has examined your injury and provided adequate medical treatment.

Seeking Workers’ Compensation in Florida

All employers who have four or more employees must carry workers compensation. In Florida, all workers’ compensation claims are filed with and handled by the Florida Division of Workers’ Compensation. Under state law, the following types of employers are required to carry workers’ compensation policies for their employees:

• All state or local government employers
• All construction industry employers who have one or more employees, including the owner of the company. A member of a limited liability company or an exempted corporate officer does not count as an employee that require workers’ compensation coverage.
• All employers in non-construction industries who have four or more full or part-time Exempted corporate officers do not count as employees that require workers’ compensation coverage.
• All farmers who employ five or more regular employees and twelve or more seasonal employees whose work on the farm lasts for thirty days or longer each year must carry workers’ compensation coverage.

All workplace injuries must be reported to the employer within thirty days of their occurrence. It is then the employer’s responsibility to file the claim with the company’s insurance provider. Section 440.105 of the Florida Statutes states that the statute of limitations for workers’ compensation claims is two years from the date of the employee’s injury. You should report your injury immediately.

What Can Workers’ Compensation Cover?

Workers’ Compensation can cover any expenses that you incur through your workplace injury. This can include all of the following:

• Medical bills. This can include hospitalization, medications, testing, and physical
• Salary loss. This can come in the form of partial or full disability benefits.
• Death benefits. These can include funeral costs and compensation to the victim’s
• Settlements

Your attorney can explain how a workers’ compensation can help your unique circumstances. Every case is different and some individuals need compensation for only one of these issues while others need it for most or even all of them.

Workers’ Compensation Attorneys Can Help

If you have been injured on the job, seek medical attention right away. Contact Hornsby Law Group at 407-499-8887 to discuss your case with one of our team’s experienced personal injury attorneys. We understand the issues that victims face when seeking workers’ compensation and are here to advocate for you as you work through this process.