Workers’ Compensation Insurance in Florida: What You Need to Know

You know how you only really learn about something when you need to? Well, workers’ compensation is kind of like that. We know that workers’ compensation has something to do with medical coverage if we’re hurt on the job, but it really does not crystalize for us until we actually need to use workers’ compensation. 

Accordingly, in this article, we are going to tell you the things you need to know about workers’ compensation in Florida. As you will see, workers’ compensation makes a lot of sense for both employees and employers once you get to know how it works and what you can expectss in the unfortunate event that you are injured on the job. 

If, after reading this article, you have more questions about workers’ compensation , then the Florida Workers’ Compensation Act attorneys in Jacksonville at RITE Law are here to help. At RITE Law, we have a group of personal injury attorneys in Jacksonville who have your best interests at heart, and who have the training and resources to make sure that you receive the compensation you deserve. Our number is (904) 500-RITE or you can fill out our contact form online. We provide a free case evaluation , so call today.

How Does Workers’ Compensation Operate?

Simply put, workers’ compensation is a form of insurance. An employer will take out a workers’ compensation policy that is focused on covering any expenses – medical or otherwise – that result from workplace injuries. In fact, employers in Florida are required to obtain workers’ compensation insurance under the Florida Workers’ Compensation Act.

Workers’ compensation insurance, therefore, will provide medical and other types of coverage to workers who get hurt on the job. This avoids the need for an employee to take an employer to court in order to prove that the employer should pay for the costs of a work injury. 

Is Workers’ Compensation No-Fault Insurance?  

Essentially, yes. Workers’ compensation insurance will kick in automatically to cover work injury expenses, and there is no requirement that a party must be found to be at fault. The only requirement for workers’ compensation insurance to kick in is that the injury must occur on the job . The question of whether an injury is the result of work, or something else, sometimes becomes a challenging question. But, in an ideal world, the notion is that workers’ compensation covers any issues that occur as a result of working for an employer.     

Why Was Workers’ Compensation Insurance Created in the First Place?

Before workers’ compensation, people who were seriously injured on the job, or family members of workers who were killed on the job, could not get their medical bills (or other costs) covered by an employer until the worker or his family would sue the employer to establish liability. The process was cumbersome. It required a lawsuit, and the process often unfairly favored employers who had more legal resources to show that the injury was not job-related. Accordingly, it was very hard for workers to recover, even when it was the employer that clearly allowed dangerous workplace conditions to exist.

Workers’ compensation was, thus, born as a way to get workers immediate medical coverage and other compensation after a workplace injury. 

The advent of workers’ compensation was actually a win-win. Employers also benefit greatly from the workers’ compensation system. Before workers’ compensation existed, one employee injury could result in a lawsuit that could bankrupt the entire company. Thus, workers’ compensation allows employers to predict their costs in connection with workplace injury, rather than worry that some catastrophic loss to an employee might ruin the entire business.

What are the Typical Deadlines for Workers’ Compensation Benefits?

1. 30 days to report an injury.  Under Florida law, you must report a workplace accident within 30 days or your workers’ compensation claim may be denied. Of course, you should report an accident as soon as possible.

2. Employer has 7 days to report to insurance .  Your employer has seven days to report your claim to the insurance company. 

3. Insurance company has 3 days to get back to you.  The workers’ compensation insurance company must send you information about your workers’ compensation rights and responsibilities within three days of receiving notice from the employer. 

Does Workers’ Compensation Cover Medical Bills and Lost Wages?

Yes. If you are legitimately injured on the job, then all authorized medical bills should be submitted to your employer’s insurance company for payment. Also, under Florida law, your first seven days of disability are not covered by workers’ compensation. However, you will receive lost wages compensation if your disability lasts for more than 21 days.

Call a Florida Workers’ Compensation Act Attorney in Jacksonville

There are some unscrupulous employers who may try to play games with a workers’ compensation claim. That is why you need a Florida Workers’ Compensation Act attorney in Jacksonville to assist you. If your employer fails to report the injury to insurance, then you (with the help of your attorney) can notify the workers’ compensation insurance company directly.

At RITE Law, we started the firm for one reason – to help those in Florida and elsewhere have the resources of a firm that was “big enough to fight but small enough to care.” At Rudolph, Israel, Tucker & Ellis (RITE law), we have the resources and experience to go to trial when it is necessary, and we have the wisdom to advise you appropriately. 

Expect lots of attention, passionate representation and a healthy disdain for big insurance companies. We believe that leads to the best result possible. Unlike larger firms, your case isn’t handed to a paralegal or assistant to do the heavy lifting. The attorney you meet initially is the one who will be by your side every step of the way. 

We also take pride in creating an atmosphere where every client is treated like family. Family members stick up for one another no matter what. You should expect nothing less from the RITE Law personal injury attorneys in Jacksonville.

Without help from the RITE team, making your own personal injury claims can be very difficult. When you turn to our firm, we spring into action, making sure that every detail of your claim is addressed. Call us for help. Our number is (904) 500-RITE or you can fill out our contact form online. We provide a free case evaluation , so feel free to call us today.

The information in this blog post is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to be legal advice. You should not make a decision whether or not to contact an attorney based upon the information in this blog post. No attorney-client relationship is formed nor should any such relationship be implied. If you require legal advice, please consult with an attorney licensed to practice in your jurisdiction.