Individuals who get hurt in a work accident or develop a work-related medical condition can apply for workers’ compensation benefits. Awards can vary depending on the severity of the injury or condition and can include reimbursement for medical expenses and income loss. However, obtaining benefits can sometimes prove complicated and challenging. Workers’ compensation insurance can also deny a claim or cut certain benefits.
If you are currently struggling to get what you believe you deserve with your workers’ compensation claim in Sarasota, or your claim has been denied altogether, a Sarasota workers’ compensation lawyer from the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine can help. We can advise you and fight for compensation for your work injury.
Contact the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine now for a free consultation regarding your workers’ compensation claim at 1-800-747-3733.
Workers’ Compensation Benefits You Could Receive
Suffering a serious injury at work can turn your life upside down and cause serious financial hardship. When an accident at work causes you pain and distress, lost income, and worries about the future, workers’ compensation may provide you with financial support.
Benefits from workers’ compensation can help prevent you and your family from facing financial chaos and long-term insecurity. Since workers’ compensation in Florida works on the “no-fault” principle, benefits are generally available even if the injury happened due to a worker’s own fault or carelessness.
Knowing exactly what you may receive can be tricky and depends on the severity of your work injury or condition. You could potentially be entitled to a number of benefits, including:
Wage Loss Benefits
Under Florida’s workers’ compensation laws, you can potentially receive wage loss benefits for a temporary or permanent disability. Wage loss benefits are generally available to claimants until they are able to return to work. However, if an individual suffers from a total and permanent disability due to a work injury, they could receive wage benefits for the rest of their lives.
Florida’s workers’ compensation benefits can include:
- Temporary Partial Disability (TPD)
- Temporary Total Disability (TTD)
- Permanent Total Disability (PTD)
- Impairment Benefits (IB)
According to the Florida Division of Workers’ Compensation, the maximum weekly impairment benefit rate for 2021 is $1,011.
Healthcare Benefits
If you get hurt at work in Florida, your medical provider should submit all authorized medical bills to your employer’s insurance company. Generally, healthcare benefits include all necessary medical care, medical treatments, and medications that you need due to the work injury. Medical benefits can also include physiotherapy, chiropractor’s visits, and other therapies, as long as they are deemed necessary for your recovery.
Occupational Benefits
In some cases, an individual can return to work after some time but may not be able to return to the job that they had before their injury. If this happens, you could potentially receive vocational benefits through workers’ compensation, which could include training for a different job, vocational counseling, or practical help with finding alternative work.
Death Benefits
If your loved one passed away after suffering a catastrophic work injury, you could potentially qualify for certain death benefits under Florida workers’ compensation laws. Depending on the circumstances, surviving close family members could receive various benefits such as funeral and burial expenses. Dependents of the deceased worker, such as minor children, may also be entitled to payouts.
The best way to learn about your rights and benefits regarding your workers’ compensation claim is to consult with a Sarasota workers’ compensation lawyer as soon as you can after your work injury occurs. Call the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine today at 1-800-747-3733 for a free case review with our team.
Injuries Covered by Workers’ Compensation
Work accidents are far from rare. Figures from the National Safety Council (NSC) show that more than 4.6 million work injuries occurred in 2019 in the U.S.
Workers’ compensation is designed to protect employees and provide cover for any work-related injuries and illnesses. Benefits can cover catastrophic injuries, occupational illnesses, and injuries that occur due to overuse of a body part, such as repetitive strain injury or work-related mental disorders.
Injuries that are generally covered by Florida workers’ compensation insurance can include, but are not limited to:
- Fall injuries
- Back pain and back injuries
- Injuries resulting from work machinery or equipment
- Repetitive strain
- Injuries caused by coming into contact with toxic materials
- Loss or reduction of hearing or eyesight
This list is not exhaustive, and Florida workers’ compensation insurance potentially covers many other work injuries and medical conditions. Generally, however, the injury must have happened during work time, and the medical condition must have been caused by your job in order to recover benefits. A Sarasota workers’ compensation lawyer from our firm can help you determine whether your injury or condition qualifies for a workers’ compensation claim.
Injuries That May Not Be Covered
Not all injuries are covered by workers’ compensation. If you got hurt during your commute or on your lunch break, for example, you are most likely not entitled to benefits.
Workers’ compensation insurance can also sometimes contest an employee’s claim, even if it is valid and their injuries should theoretically be covered. When this happens, an individual could have a long struggle for compensation and may have to present comprehensive evidence linking their condition or injury to their employment.
When an Employer Lacks Workers’ Compensation Insurance
Although workers’ compensation is mandatory, some Sarasota employers lack coverage or let their policy lapse. If this happened to you, you should speak to a workers’ compensation attorney from our firm imminently as you could potentially sue your employer for damages.
The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine Could Help You Get What You May Deserve
Do not risk having your benefits denied. Workers’ compensation claims can be tricky, and having the help of a Sarasota workers’ compensation lawyer from our firm can give you peace of mind and legal protection. Let us advise you on your options for receiving the benefits you may deserve.
Call the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine for help now at 1-800-747-3733.
We Can Help.
