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Help! I Was Injured at Work. What Should I Do?

You were injured on the job and in severe pain. You can’t work like this, but you need money to pay your medical bills and support your family. What should you do to take care of yourself and your family during this scary time?

Workers Compensation

Florida has a no-fault workers compensation system. This means that all private employers in the state are required to carry workers compensation insurance to pay you if you are hurt on the job, regardless of the reason for the injury. The workers compensation insurance pays for 100% of all necessary medical treatments until you have reached your maximum medical improvement. This includes doctor’s visits, surgery, imaging, medication, physical therapy or rehabilitation, mileage that you travel for your medical appointments, and a medical attendant for your home, if needed. If you are no longer able to perform your previous job due to the injury, workers compensation will pay to retrain you for a new job based on your ability level. It’s important to note that workers compensation does not pay for pain and suffering.

Steps to Take Immediately Following an Injury

• You must report the injury to your employer within 30 days. Once you report it, your employer will file a claim on your behalf with the insurance company within days. They will also launch an internal investigation into the accident, including interviewing co-workers and reviewing security camera footage.
• Seek medical care immediately. Even though some symptoms don’t show up right away, it’s important to be checked by a doctor right after the accident to prove that you are doing everything possible to help yourself heal. If you delay medical treatment, the insurance company may try to deny your claim.
• Document all your injuries by taking photos and videos as soon as you can after the injury.
• Document your medical care by creating a log of all of your medical appointments, hospital admissions, therapy sessions, etc. to prove that you are trying your best to regain your health.

Employer Response to Your Injury

Some injured workers find that their previously friendly management is more aloof after an injury report. They may even discourage you from reporting the injury, accuse you of lying, or claim that you cannot file a claim since the injury was your fault. All of these actions are illegal. They are behaving this way because when a worker reports a claim, the employer’s insurance premium rises, and they don’t want to pay a higher premium.

If your employer engages in any of these tactics, or if the workers compensation insurance company denies your claim, you need an experienced workers compensation attorney. Florida workers compensation laws are extremely complex and nuanced, so it’s essential to hire an expert with years of experience in this area, like ECanter Lawyers. Contact us today for a free case evaluation on your workers comp case so we can advise you of your options.