Thousands of Florida workers are hurt on the job annually. In one year, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics recorded 306 fatal workplace injuries in the state. Transportation accidents, slip-and-fall incidents, and exposure to harmful substances are a few of the leading causes of workplace injury and death in Florida. One accident is all it takes to derail a person’s well-being and financial stability, putting their health, finances, and career at risk.
At The Bruner Law Firm, our workplace injury lawyers work to get Panama City accident victims the care and compensation they deserve after an injury. Dealing with the workers’ compensation system, understanding your legal rights, and identifying other potential sources of compensation for your injuries can be challenging. An experienced Florida attorney can answer your questions and increase your chances of obtaining a favorable outcome for your situation.
What Qualifies as a Workplace Injury?
In Florida, a workplace injury is any injury or harm sustained by an employee while performing job-related tasks or duties on the clock. Suppose an employee is hurt in a car accident while running work-related errands for their boss while on the clock. That can count as a workplace injury. However, if an employee is driving to the office on their regular commute and gets injured in a car accident, that would not typically fall into the category of workplace injury.
While most people think of workplace injuries as accident-related wounds, occupational illnesses and injuries may also qualify as injuries. Occupational injuries are injuries or medical conditions that develop slowly over time, often as a result of exposure to dangerous chemicals or other environmental hazards such as asbestos. Repetitive stress injuries, such as carpal tunnel, are another example of a workplace injury. These injuries also develop over time due to daily repetitive motions on the job.
Some of the injuries that may qualify as workplace injuries in Panama City can include:
- Broken bones
- Sprains
- Strains
- Back and neck injuries
- Burns
- Tendonitis
- Soft tissue injuries
- Mesothelioma
- Cancer
- Musculoskeletal disorders
- Fertility issues
Data from the National Safety Council suggests that some of the most common causes of workplace injuries in the United States include:
- Falls
- Contact with objects or equipment
- Overexertion
- Transportation accidents
- Exposure to harmful substances or environments
What Injuries Are Not Covered?
While it is vital to understand what qualifies as a workplace injury, it is also important to note when an injury may not fall into this category. Injuries that occur off the clock or outside regular working hours, injuries that happen when an individual is impaired by drugs or alcohol, or wounds caused by horseplay on the job may prevent a worker from seeking specific benefits. Engaging in workplace violence or deliberately trying to harm themselves while at work may also bar an individual from seeking certain forms of compensation for their injuries.
Additionally, specific state benefits are generally only available for qualified employees who meet injury compensation eligibility. Those categorized as independent contractors or freelance workers do not have the same right to seek certain medical and financial benefits under workers’ compensation insurance.
Workers’ Compensation Claims
The first and most common type of work injury claim is one filed through workers’ compensation. Workers’ compensation is a no-fault insurance system that extends benefits to Florida workers injured on the job. Florida law requires that most employers carry valid workers’ compensation insurance coverage for employees, with few exceptions.
Workers’ compensation benefits include medical benefits covering authorized, medically necessary treatments, a portion of an employee’s lost wages, and death benefits in the case of a work-related fatality. Since workers’ compensation is a no-fault system, an employee can seek workers’ compensation benefits regardless of who was at fault for their injuries. In other words, they don’t have to prove that their employer was somehow responsible for the accident to obtain benefits.
The injury claim timeline for workers’ compensation claims can be confusing. While you should immediately report any accident to a manager or supervisor, Florida law stipulates that employees must report a workplace accident no later than 30 days after the incident or face claim denial. Your employer should post the process of reporting injuries at work in a visible and prominent location and information on reporting workplace safety violations.
While there are numerous benefits to filing a successful workers’ compensation claim, accepting workers’ comp benefits means you generally lose the ability to file a lawsuit against your employer seeking additional compensation.
Third-Party Claims
Individuals may also be entitled to file a personal injury lawsuit to seek compensation for their injuries and other losses. While accepting workers’ compensation benefits bars you from filing a lawsuit against your employer, you can file a third-party lawsuit against outside entities responsible for causing an accident or your injuries. Third-party entities who may be partially or wholly responsible for your workplace accident can include:
- Product manufacturers
- Contractors
- Subcontractors
- Property owners
- Maintenance companies
The value of a workplace injury lawsuit can depend on the severity of your injuries and the cause of the incident. Most victims can seek fair compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Do You Need a Workers’ Compensation Attorney?
Claiming workplace injury compensation can be challenging. The work injury claim process is not always straightforward. Building and supporting a compelling compensation claim also requires significant workplace injury evidence. An experienced Panama City attorney can help you through the process of filing a workers’ compensation claim or third-party lawsuit to pursue maximum compensation for your workplace injuries.
A workplace injury lawyer can:
- Handle your workers’ compensation claim paperwork
- Manage communication between you and all involved parties
- Negotiate for the benefits you deserve
- Appeal your claim if the insurer denies it
- Review any additional legal options for recovering compensation
You have the time and energy to focus on healing, while your legal team focuses on pursuing the money and benefits you need.
Contact a Panama City Workplace Injury Lawyer Today
A workplace injury can be life-altering. At The Bruner Law Firm, you come first. Our legal team dedicates themselves to fighting for the rights of injured Panama City workers, seeking justice and fair compensation on their behalf.
Call our office at (850) 243-2222 or contact us online to arrange a free case review with a Panama City workplace injury lawyer to discuss your situation.
