Worker’s Compensation For CNAs

The medical industry is very dangerous, especially if you work as a Certified Nursing Assistant. CNAs do a lot of the dirty work like caring directly for clients, assisting with medical procedures, and stocking the room with necessary medical supplies. These duties are very physical and often times done in a fast-paced, hazardous condition. As a result, CNAs experience a high number of work related injuries and may need to file a worker’s compensation claim at some point in their career.

Common CNA Injuries

CNAs have one of the most dangerous jobs with the third highest rate of worker’s compensation claims in the country. On average 60% of CNAs, an estimated 22,000 people, report some form of work related injury every year. These rates increase depending on the field of medicine. Some of the most common injuries reported by CNAs include:

Sprains and strains

Bruises

Chronic pain

Fractures

Cuts/Punctures

Multiple Trauma

Infectious diseases

According to the Occupation Safety and Health Administration (https://www.osha.gov/dsg/hospitals/documents/1.1_Data_highlights_508.pdf):

48% of all injuries are a result of overexertion

25% of all injuries are a result of slip and falls

13% of all injuries are a result of needle sticks

9% of all injuries are the result of violence

4% of all injuries are the result of exposure to a hazardous substance

When To File A Worker’s Compensation Claim

If you experience any injury on the job, you need to file a worker’s compensation claim immediately. Since employees have to prove that the injury they’ve experienced was a result of an occupational hazard, reporting the injury right away can help prove the injury was work-related. Even minor injuries always need to be reported to human resources because they can turn into larger health issues over time.

How To File A Worker’s Compensation Claim In Florida

The state of Florida has very clear laws on how to report a worker’s compensation claim. First, you need to seek medical attention for your injuries and keep all documentation of the treatments. Next, you need to report your injury to your supervisor within 30 days of the injury or illness. Your employer should provide you with Form DFS-F2-DWC1 to report your claim. If your employer fails to provide you with this form you can get it at: http://www.myfloridacfo.com/division/wc/publicationsformsmanualsreports/forms/. Your employer is then legally required to review your claim.

What Benefits Can You Receive?

Worker’s compensation is designed to ensure that you get the medical treatment you need to get you back on your feet and working again. Some of the common benefits include:

Payment for medical bills and prescriptions

Rehabilitation including physical therapy

Lost wages, benefits, and retirement

Disability including temporary and permanent and partial and total

What To Do If Your Claim Has Been Denied

In some cases, employers or their insurance companies will try to deny your claim. They may say the injury occurred outside of the workplace or was a result of a pre-existing condition. A denial can be a huge problem, especially if your injury is so severe that it causes financial hardship, pain and suffering, and leaves you unable to work. Fighting with an employer or an insurance company can be a nightmare, so you will need to hire a good attorney.

Our experienced attorneys at All Injuries Law Firm can help with your worker’s compensation claim. If your claim has been denied or your employer or their insurance company has offered you a settlement lower than the value of your claim, we can help. We have over 30 years of experience dealing with worker’s compensation claims and can help you prove to your employer and their insurance company, your injury is work-related. We will fight hard to make sure that the settlement offer you receive is fair. So call us today to see how we can help you!