Worker’s Compensation For Security Guards

Security guards have tough jobs. Whether you work as a bouncer at a bar or nightclub, patrol a property after hours, or provide store security, you are putting yourself at risk everyday. In fact, security guards face a 3.8% fatality rate and an estimated 42,000 non-fatal injuries every year. Since by nature, working in security is an extremely dangerous job, it is important that you understand your legal rights to worker’s compensation. Here are the basics of worker’s compensation for security guards.

Common Security Guard Injuries

There are many common injuries that can occur when on the job as a security guard including:

Traumatic brain injury
Strains and sprains
Fractures
Spinal cord damage
Bruises
Lacerations
Repetitive stress injuries

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (http://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2012/02/art1full.pdf):

30% of all injuries are a result of slips and trips and falls
15% of all injuries are a result of violence and physical attacks
14% of all injuries are the result of contact with an object
9% of all injuries are a result of vehicle accidents
4% of all injuries are a result of exposure to harmful substances

When To File A Worker’s Compensation Claim

Worker’s compensation claims are complex for security guards. Many times, as a security guard, you will work for one company contracted with another. So it can get a bit tricky to understand who is liable for your coverage. However, if you are injured on the job you need to contact your primary employer and file a worker’s compensation claim immediately. In order to receive the benefits of your worker’s compensation coverage you have to prove that the injury was the direct result of your job. The best way to do this is to have medical documentation from the time of the accident.

How To File A Worker’s Compensation Claim In Florida

If you are a security guard working in the state of Florida, there are some legal requirements to file a worker’s compensation claim. First, you have to report your injury to your direct employer within 30 days. Once notified, your employer has to provide you with Form DFS-F2-DWC1 “First Report of Injury or Illness.” You will need to fill this form out and file it with your employer in order to pursue a claim. Once filed, your employer has to review your case. If you employer fails to provide you with the adequate forms, which can happen in contract situations, you can get the form from the state of Florida’s Department of Worker’s Compensation website at: http://www.myfloridacfo.com/division/wc/publicationsformsmanualsreports/forms/. Then file the form with the state if your employer is uncooperative.

What Benefits Can You Receive?

Since worker’s compensation was designed to protect employers from being sued, they offer a range of benefits to get you back on your feet. These benefits include:

Financial compensation for any related medical treatments, prescriptions, and rehabilitation
The value of your lost earnings, benefits, and retirement
Disability benefits including temporary partial, temporary permanent, total partial, and total permanent

What Happens If Your Claim Is Denied

In most cases, employers will provide a fair settlement for your injuries because they want to get you back to work. However, there are times when the employer or their insurance company does not want to pay a fair settlement or may even unjustly deny a claim. In these cases, you will need to hire an attorney immediately so that you don’t end up experiencing financial hardship as a result of your medical bills and loss of income. At All Injuries Law Firm, our attorneys can help you. We have over 30 years of experience helping Florida security guards receive fair worker’s compensation settlements. We can help you negotiate with the insurance company, prove that your injury or illness was a direct result of your work, and make sure that you get back on your feet as soon as possible. So call us today for a free consultation to see how we can help you get a fair settlement for your worker’s compensation claim.