How Do I File a Claim in Florida for Worker’s Compensation?

In Florida, employees who have been injured in a job-related accident can receive benefits that will cover medical treatment, lost wages, and any other financial expenses. However, to receive these benefits, you need to meet certain requirements like reporting your injuries to your employer within a stipulated time. However, you don’t need to prove that your employer acted recklessly to receive the benefits. If you sustained injuries while on duty or by your job activities, you will be eligible for benefits. Eligible employees may receive different benefits like impairment benefits, temporary disability benefits, vocational rehabilitation, and reasonable medical care.

How to file a worker’s compensation claims

To file for a Florida workers’ compensation claim, you should start by reporting the injury to your employer within 30 days of the accident date. If an illness or condition develops over time, then you must inform your employer within thirty days of discovering that it was caused by your job. If you don’t report to your employer within the stipulated deadlines, then you may lose your benefits. When you inform your employer, you must provide details like when the accident happened, how you sustained the injuries and the symptoms that you are currently experiencing. After reporting the incident to your employer, he or she should send you to an occupational doctor. Your employer is obligated to choose the doctor who will treat you unless you require emergency treatment. It is important to give the medical practitioner accurate information about what caused your injuries and how severe your symptoms are.

What happens after reporting my injuries?

After you have informed your employer about your injuries, your employer must inform its insurance company about your case within seven days. However, if your employer refuses to inform the insurance company about your injuries, then you can directly communicate with the insurance company. The insurance company will then evaluate your case and determine whether you’re eligible for the benefits or not. The insurance company may conduct investigations by reviewing your medical documents and by analyzing your education, job experience and wages. In addition, it may order a medical examination to evaluate and assess your condition and by assessing your ability to do your job.

The insurance company is obligated to either quickly approve or deny your benefits. If your application is approved, you will start to receive the benefits. On the other hand, you may not be approved to receive benefits. You can fight the denial by asking your attorney to file an appeal to make the court reconsider your case. Moreover, you can appeal the denied claim by filing a petition for benefits within 2 years from the date you were harmed, or one year of your last medical payment or wage loss.

Bottomline

If you got injured in a job-related accident, you may pursue compensation to cover all the accident-related expenses. All you need to do is inform your employer about the accident and your subsequent injuries, and the employer will inform its insurance company about your case. The insurance company will then determine whether you will receive benefits or not. It’s in your best interest to reach out to a legal professional immediately after your accident. Your attorney will determine whether your employer is treating you fairly during this time.