Key West & Marathon Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
Workers injured on the job in The Keys are covered by Florida workers’ compensation insurance. Workers’ comp is a “no-fault” system. You don’t have to prove that your employer or a co-worker caused the accident, and you don’t even have to worry if the accident was your own fault. So long as you follow the proper procedures and file a timely claim, you should get workers’ compensation benefits to pay for your medical expenses and replace a portion of your lost wages.
That’s how it is supposed to work, at least. In reality, employers are worried that workers’ compensation claims will increase their insurance premiums, and the insurance carriers are worried they will get stuck paying expensive benefits for years to a worker who was permanently injured in a work accident. Employers and their insurers therefore often go to great lengths to make your claim difficult to pursue. They’ll deny the injury was work-related or that it happened on the job. They’ll say you aren’t really hurt. They’ll unreasonably delay the process of approving your claim, they’ll pay less than the claim is worth, and they’ll terminate your benefits early before you are ready to return to work.
Employers have a lot of power in the workers’ comp process in Florida. They choose your doctor and decide whether to authorize any follow-up treatment beyond your initial visit, including whether you can see a specialist. But you can’t sue your employer for a work injury, even if the accident was their fault. Your only choice is to work within the workers’ compensation system, even though it might be stacked against you.
Florida Keys Injury can help. Our Key West & Marathon workers’ compensation lawyers are committed to helping workers injured on the job collect the full amount of workers’ comp benefits available to them. We know the law and the process for getting benefits. We know all the employer’s tricks and what to do when they pull them. Call our office in Key West if you’ve been hurt on the job in The Keys. We’ll listen to your story and let you know how we can help. We are right here in Key West, not Miami. We are your neighbor’s trusted injury attorney, and we are here to help when you’ve been injured on the job in Key West, Marathon or throughout The Keys.
What Kinds of Workers’ Comp Benefits Can I Get for an On-the-job Injury?
Workers’ compensation pays for all reasonable, authorized medical care. This can include appointments with your doctor, the treatment you receive in the hospital, diagnostic tests, surgical procedures, and physical therapy, as well as prescription drug costs. If you need a prosthetic or medical equipment, attendant care and other related costs, these are compensable as well.
Workers’ comp benefits also replace a portion of your wages while you are out of work or on light duty at less pay. For instance, if you are temporarily out of work, you can receive two-thirds of your regular wages for up to two years. You can also receive partial payments while working at a lower rate of pay or benefits for an impairment that prevents you from working in the future or leaves you with a permanent disability.
Workers’ compensation is available for any type of work injury. Some of the most common types of injuries we see include:
- Shoulder and Knee Injuries
- Neck and Back Injuries
- Toxic Exposure
- Repetitive Motion Injuries
- Occupational Diseases
- Hearing Loss
- Hypertension (for First Responders)
What Do I Do if My Claim Is Denied?
Call Florida Keys Injury. We’ll review your case, and if it looks like the denial was unreasonable, we’ll file a Petition for Benefits with the Office of the Judges of Compensation Claims. First, we’ll try to resolve the matter directly with your employer’s worker’s comp insurer, but if that doesn’t work, then we’ll appear on your behalf in a formal hearing and present a compelling case to the judge why your claim has been unreasonably delayed or denied.
Third-party Liability in Florida Keys Job Injuries
Sometimes, accidents happen on the job because of some third party’s negligence. For example, you could get hit in a car accident while picking up supplies or making deliveries, or you could slip and fall on some off-site premises where you are doing a job. In these instances, you might have a claim for workers’ compensation benefits as well as a negligence claim against the responsible third party. As experienced car accident and slip and fall personal injury attorneys, the lawyers at Florida Keys Injury can represent you in both your workers’ compensation claim and a third-party tort claim. We can help you assess which claim is in your best interest or if both are. As always, your consultation with us is free, and we don’t charge a fee until after we get successful results on your behalf.
Call Florida Keys Injury Lawyers for Help Getting Workers’ Compensation
Time is of the essence after a workplace injury if you want to protect your right to receive workers’ compensation. Report the accident, see a doctor, and call a lawyer if you are having trouble getting the benefits to which you are entitled. In Key West, Marathon or throughout The Keys, call Florida Keys Injury at 786-605-8500 for an immediate response.