Workers’ compensation insurance serves the purpose of providing assistance to you and your family if you are injured on the job and unable to continue working. Florida law requires most employers to carry this insurance, offering an efficient system that covers your needs while you recover and, hopefully, return to work.
If you have been hurt at your workplace, discuss your situation with an attorney at Colling Gilbert Wright to better understand your workers’ compensation benefits in Orlando. Our firm is well known by other attorneys and the insurance industry for achieving fair outcomes for injured victims, and we regularly receive new clients through referrals from other firms.
What Categories of Benefits Are Available?
If your job covers you with workers’ compensation insurance, you may be able to receive benefits if you sustain injuries in the course of your duties. Benefits are generally classified into three categories: medical, wage replacement, and loss of life.
Medical benefits are likely to constitute the primary part of your claim. Your employer is responsible for providing treatment through its workers’ compensation insurance policy. Typically, this includes all medically necessary care related to your injury, such as:
- Doctor visits
- Tests
- Hospital stays
- Therapy and rehabilitation
- Medications
- Medical devices, such as crutches
- Reimbursement for any travel to and from your place of treatment
A workplace accident could result in catastrophic injuries that prevent you from working. In this situation, you may be eligible for wage replacement benefits, which provide a portion of your regular wages, allowing you to cover your bills while you recover. The extent of your disability, which could be temporary or permanent and partial or total, determines the rate, amount, and duration of these benefits. If you are still able to work, but at a reduced capacity, your benefits may be altered.
In the rare instance that an employee loses their life because of a workplace accident, their family may receive additional benefits. These benefits are intended to cover funeral expenses, provide compensation for dependents, and support education for the surviving spouse.
The employee assistance you may be eligible for depends on your specific situation. If you have sustained a work-related injury, you may be able to receive some benefits but not others, which is why it is important to speak to an Orlando attorney.
Steps To Take After You Have Been Hurt at Work
First, you should double-check your eligibility for compensation. To receive benefits, you must generally be classified as an employee, not an independent contractor. Full- and part-time workers are considered employees and could be eligible for benefits. Additionally, your injury must occur in the course and scope of your employment to be covered by your employer’s insurance.
If you were hurt at work or even suspect that your job caused an injury, you should seek medical attention from a doctor who your employer and its insurer have approved. This serves two purposes: it provides immediate treatment and produces documentation that you may need to provide to the insurance company to receive your payments.
Next, you need to report the accident and your injury to your employer. Although state law allows up to 30 days, it is better to take action as soon as possible so that you can protect your right to receive compensation. Your employer will then have seven days to notify its insurance company, which will review the case for approval.
At this point, you could advance your efforts and ensure that you receive the benefits you deserve by speaking to a lawyer who is experienced in handling workers’ comp claims in Orlando. Our legal team could represent your interests if the insurance company denies your claim or provides inadequate compensation for your injuries.
Call Our Orlando Team Today To Learn More About Job-Related Injury Benefits
At The Florida Firm, our attorneys take pride in helping our clients navigate the complexities of workers’ compensation benefits in Orlando. Our team secured $12.5 million in compensation for an employee who was paralyzed from a spinal cord injury.
If you believe you are eligible for benefits, discuss your options with one of our lawyers. Contact us today to schedule a free evaluation of your situation.