Workers in Florida spend a significant portion of their adult years in the work environment. While some occupations are inherently dangerous and carry risks of injury or illness, these jobs still require employers to ensure safety standards are met.
A workplace accident could significantly impact the injured employee, causing the need to take time away from work to seek medical treatment and recover. Because this is likely to cause significant financial losses, it is important to consider workers’ compensation and whether you are eligible for this benefit.
At the Law Offices of Kelly A. Cambron, we understand that a workplace accident is a difficult time for you and your family. This is why our experienced attorneys take the time to ensure our clients have a clear understanding of their rights and options when it comes to workers’ compensation benefits.
The purpose of workers’ compensation insurance is so employers, through the insurance company, can provide benefits to employees with work-related injuries. It is important to note that an employer cannot deny treatment even if the injured worker caused or contributed to the accident. This is because it is a no-fault system. However, the insurance company requires that their doctors are used for medical treatment, with the insurance company having authority to choose the doctor that will treat the injured worker.
Benefits available
While injured workers cannot get benefits for pain and suffering or choose their doctor for treatment, workers’ compensation’s medical benefits cover the costs for medical treatment. This does not translate to recovery but rather only the treatments recommended by the doctor chosen by the insurance company.
There are also wage loss or indemnity benefits available through workers’ comp. There are four types of indemnity benefits, which includes temporary total disability, temporary partial disability, impairment income benefits and permanent total disability. The payments for these benefits are based on the worker’s average weekly wage for the 13 weeks preceding the injury.
The Florida Workers’ Compensation system can be challenging to navigate, especially when you are currently suffering from an injury and overwhelmed by the immediate financial losses. As such, it is important to explore your rights and options by getting the necessary information and questions answered from a legal professional.