Your Guide to Workplace Accidents in Florida

If you have suffered an injury while on the job in Venice, Florida, you may have the right to seek compensation for those injuries through workers' compensation insurance that your employer holds. Here is your guide to workplace accidents in Florida, so you will know what to expect and what you can do.

What Is Workers' Compensation?

Workers' compensation provides benefits to injured workers and varies from state to state. It is a no-fault system, which means you cannot receive benefits through this coverage if you were negligent and contributed to the accident.

Who Is Covered?

Workers' compensation covers any individuals employed in the state of Florida. There are very limited exceptions to employers who are not included. Workers' compensation is required for all private and public employees, whether employed full-time or part-time. However, there are some exclusions to who is covered.

Certain business owners, licensed real estate agents, brokers working on a commission, independent contractors, repairmen who make less than $2,000 per year, federal employees, and drivers under a lease agreement with a contract carrier are exempt from mandatory coverage under the Workers' Compensation Act in Florida.

What to Do Following an Accident

So, what do you do if you are injured on the job? To make the most of your workers' compensation benefits, there are a few steps you must follow:

• Seek immediate medical attention for all your injuries.
• Report the accident and injuries to your supervisor right away. Florida law requires that this is reported within thirty days.
• Choose a doctor that your employer specified. This helps ensure that all your treatment is covered.

What the Company Must Do

The company you work for is also responsible for following the right steps after a workplace injury. The company needs to investigate the incident as soon as possible and gather all relevant facts regarding what happened, the conditions of the workplace at the time, and any other relevant information.

Florida law also requires that your employer notifies the insurance company about the injuries within seven days, regardless of how minor those injuries may be. This is not an admission of guilt on the employer's part, however. They are simply informing the insurance company that an incident occurred and there were injuries as a result.

File Your Claim Within Seven Days

You want to be sure to file your workers' compensation claim in Florida within seven days of the accident. Getting full benefits can prove to be a rocky road to walk if you don't have the right knowledge and tools on your side. For this reason, you want to discuss your claim with a qualified workers' compensation lawyer in Venice, Florida.

Common Workplace Injuries

Some of the more common workplace injuries in Florida include:

• Injuries as the result of falling objects
• Overexertion while working
• Slip and fall accidents
• Machinery accidents
• Vehicle accidents
• Injuries due to repetitive motion

Your overall benefits may be reduced if you are found to have contributed to the injuries. For example, if you were under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the accident, you failed to use a safety device, or failed to follow the safety rules, you may not be eligible for full compensation.

Wrongful Termination

If you are fired after filing a workers' compensation claim, you may be able to sue. Florida follows what is known as employment-at-will, which states that the employer is not required to give advance notice or reason for termination if it is not required by contract.

However, if you are terminated due to a workers' compensation claim, this is considered a blatant violation of public policy as coded by the state legislature.

If you were terminated as the result of your claim or you need help navigating the process, do not hesitate to contact an attorney who is more than willing to work with you.