Under Florida law, with a few limited exceptions, all small businesses with at least four employees, or construction businesses with one employee, must carry workers’ compensation insurance. This means that if you are injured or become ill due to conditions related to your required performance at work, workers’ compensation will provide you benefits.
In Florida, you do not have to prove the injury or illness was anyone’s fault. You just have to prove that the injury or illness occurred while you were performing work-related duties. This sounds easy enough; however, collecting benefits from the insurance company is not as easy as it sounds. Insurance companies enjoy collecting premiums but are not so keen on paying claims.
It is strongly recommended that you do not accept an insurance settlement without consulting an attorney. Workers’ compensation insurers have a tendency to minimize the injury and not consider future losses, such as lost wages and future medical care. You need to be compensated for all of your losses, including medical tests, prescription drugs, necessary rehabilitation and time off work. In some cases, the injury or illness may cause temporary or permanent disability for which you may be entitled to compensation. The Law Offices of Justin G. Hausler, P.A. will evaluate your case and pursue all of the benefits to which you are legally entitled.
Insurers may also claim that your injury did not occur on the job or is pre-existing. According to Florida law, your injury or illness is considered work-related and covered by workers’ compensation if it was sustained during the performance of job-related duties. To be compensable, injury or illness must arise out of and in the course and scope of employment. This requirement includes an injury due to repetitive actions, like typing, that develops over a period of time, or a sudden accident, like falling off a ladder.
Workers’ compensation wrongful death benefits may also be available if you have a loved one who died due to a work-related illness or injury.
Attorney Justin Hausler is experienced in worker’s compensation matters and is a former Insurance Defense lawyer. He has represented employers and insurance companies in workers’ compensation cases and now brings that experience to injured workers. He will personally work with you and the insurer to be sure that you recover all of the benefits available for your injury or illness, or benefits available due to the wrongful job-related death of your loved one.
Call 407-617-1064 now for a free consultation with an attorney that knows the law. Time may be of the essence in pursuing your claim.