Steps To Take To Preserve Your Rights After A Workplace Injury In Florida
After you have been injured on the job, you have a right to workers’ compensation benefits in most cases. You should receive necessary medical care and any applicable wage loss benefits. Besides rights, you also have responsibilities, beginning with the first step:
Notify your employer as soon as possible that you have been injured in an accident or have experienced symptoms or been diagnosed with an occupational disease such as carpal tunnel syndrome. Your employer should have informed you of the protocol for making such reports. If not, just ask your manager or the human resources department at your workplace. If in doubt, consult with a workers’ compensation attorney at this point.
The next step is to submit an application for benefits. Even if your employer says you don’t need to do this, you should insist and keep a copy of the application for proof that you reported the injury on time.
Depending on the type of injury, you should see a doctor as soon as possible. Your employer or the human resources department at your company may assign you a medical clinic. If you later want to change doctors, ask a workers’ compensation attorney how to initiate a move to a different provider.
You may encounter roadblocks as you pursue the workers’ compensation benefits for which you are eligible. Keep a detailed log of all interactions between yourself and your employer, the workers’ comp insurer and medical care providers. You may need this information if litigation becomes necessary.
Prepare to overcome any trouble that you may encounter along the way by contacting an attorney and requesting a free initial consultation. If your case is problematic already, get a lawyer’s advice as soon as possible.
Understand The Benefits Of Hiring An Attorney
With a lawyer on your side, you will greatly increase your likelihood of receiving all workers’ compensation benefits that you are eligible for. Remember: workers’ compensation is not a handout. When you have been injured on the job, benefits are pay-outs of the workers’ compensation insurance that your employer is required to carry for you.
In addition to helping clients with workers’ compensation claims, our lawyers evaluate every workplace injury case to see whether a third-party liability personal injury lawsuit is warranted. Call us at 863-213-1608 or send an email inquiry to schedule a free consultation.