Worker’s Compensation For Truck Drivers

Truck driving is the most dangerous job in America. Not only does the trucking industry account for 12% of all workplace fatalities, it also has more non-fatal injuries than any other occupation. Trucks are massive, typically weighing over 10,000 lbs, so there is a lot of potential for injury. They are also on the open road for hours at a time, which leaves them constantly exposed to accidents. If you are a truck driver, it is very likely that you may have to file a worker’s compensation claim at some point in your career. So it is important to understand how worker’s compensation works for truck drivers.

Common Truck Driver Injuries

Around 500,000 truck accidents happen every year in America. Add to that the risks of truck maintenance and loading and unloading and there are typically 60,000 worker’s compensation claims made every year in the trucking industry. There are a variety of injuries reported, the most common are:

Strains and sprains
Bruises
Fractures
Cuts and lacerations
Soreness and pain
Multiple traumatic injuries

These injuries usually occur as a result of:

Vehicle accidents
Overexertion
Repetitive stress
Being struck by an object
Slip and falls

When To File A Worker’s Compensation Claim

Filing a worker’s compensation claim when you are a truck driver can be a little difficult, especially if you drive long haul. You will be far away from your home office at the time of the injury. However, you still need to report the injury right away, even if you just call or email you employer. One of the most important factors in worker’s compensation is proving that your injury is the result of an occupational hazard. So as soon as your injury is incurred or illness diagnosed, you need to contact your boss and let them know as soon as possible.

How To File A Worker’s Compensation Claim In Florida

If you are a truck driver, whether local or long haul, if your business is in Florida, you will need to follow the state laws for filing a worker’s compensation claim. Florida requires that you notify your employer of the injury within 30 days of when the accident first happened or within 30 days after you have been diagnosed with an illness. You employer is then required to provide you with Form DFS-F2-DWC1 which you will fill out to report your claim. If your employer fails to provide this form, you will need to fill it out and submit it to the state. You can find the form on the Florida Division of Worker’s Compensation’s Website at: http://www.myfloridacfo.com/division/wc/publicationsformsmanualsreports/forms/.

What Benefits Can You Receive?

Depending on the nature and severity of your injury, there are several benefits you can receive from a worker’s compensation claim including:

The value of all your medical and prescription costs
The value of long term rehabilitation and therapeutic care
Any lost income including wages and benefits
Disability
Wrongful death (in the case of a loved one)

What To Do If Your Claim Has Been Denied

With the difficult nature of reporting worker’s compensation claims in the trucking industry, your employer or their insurance company may try to deny your claim. Having your worker’s compensation claim can be a serious financial hazard. With the high cost of medical bills and loss of income from missing work, you may end up in a terrible financial situation. So if your claim has been denied, you need to hire a qualified attorney to help you get fair compensation. The attorneys are All Injuries Law Firm have over 30 years of combined experience fighting for a fair settlement for Florida truck drivers. We understand all the difficulties of reporting a worker’s compensation claim in the trucking industry and can help you prove your accident was the result of a work-related injury. We will also negotiate with the insurance company to ensure you receive a settlement for the full amount you are owed. So if you are a truck driver and have been injured at work, call us for a free consultation to see how we can help!