Tampa Florida Workers Compensation Lawyer
Workers' Compensation
Every year over 100,000 workers are injured while on the job. In 1935, Florida created workers’ compensation in order to relieve injured employees from having to sue their employer to collect any sort of damages. Under workers' compensation, employees are usually entitled to collect benefits regardless of fault as long as the injuries arose "out of and in the course of employment". Basically, this means that the injury has to occur while the employee is involved in some activity directly related to his or her job. Please keep in mind that the employer must be notified within 30 days of either the date of the injury, the date when the injury's effects first become apparent, or the date when a medical expert first discovers the injury in order to properly preserve your workers' compensation claim.
Workers' compensation entitles an employee to all reasonable and necessary medical care related to the injury. This includes visits to an approved health care provider, surgery, hospital and dental care, prescription drugs, braces, crutches, and other medical supplies ordered by an approved physician. An injured employee may also be entitled to payment for lost wages. If, as a result of the injury, the employee is unable to return to work after more than seven days, the employee is entitled to a portion of the lost income. An employee is also entitled to lost wages benefits if he or she is able to work, but earns less than 80 percent of his or her pre-injury wages, or has suffered a permanent loss of a bodily function as a result of the injury. If an employee dies as result of a work-related injury, the employee's spouse, dependent children or dependent parents are entitled to death benefits of up to $150,000.
If the employer or the insurance carrier refuses to pay for medical care, lost wages or other matters, an injured employee should contact us. Properly filing a claim can be complicated and mistakes may threaten a worker's right to benefits. Moreover, employers are prohibited from discharging or threatening any employee for asserting a valid claim for workers' compensation benefits.
Our Firm has experience handling workers’ compensation claims. Our Firm also understands that your immediate goals after going through such trauma are to get your medical bills paid and covered, make sure you do not suffer financially through any lost wages, and make sure the insurance company will pay for future treatment relating to your injury. Our experienced legal team will discuss your situation and go over the options available to you, as well as work with insurance companies and other parties involved in your case to make sure all your needs are handled quickly and appropriately.
If you or a loved one has been injured at work, contact us online or call us at (813) 933-1234 or toll free at (877) EDGARGUZMAN to set up a FREE consultation to discuss your legal options.
