What are the financial realities of workers’ comp?

On Behalf of | Mar 27, 2020 | Workers' compensation

The Florida Division of Workers’ Compensation explains what benefits you may receive if you file a workers’ compensation claim for a job-related injury.

Financial considerations may include your medical bills, lost wages and ability to receive other forms of assistance.

Are all your medical bills covered?

When you suffer an injury at work, a doctor or other medical professional designated by your employer will provide treatment. If you follow your employer’s guidelines, your employer’s insurance company will pay your medical bills.

Are your wages paid if your injury causes you to stop working?

During the first seven days you are unable to work, your wages are not paid. After that, workers’ compensation will pay 66 2/3% of your average weekly wage based on the 13-week period leading up to your injury. This amount is subject to adjustment if you worked less than 75% of those 13 weeks. You may be able to recover lost income for your first seven days away from work if you end up being unable to work for over 21 days. If you are temporarily unable to work, your benefits will continue for up to 104 weeks.

Does workers’ compensation prevent you from receiving other government benefits?

Even if you are receiving workers’ compensation benefits, you may receive social security benefits so long as the two forms of assistance combined are not more than 80% of the average weekly wage you earned before the injury.

However, you may not receive workers’ compensation and reemployment assistance at the same time. This is because you need to be medically able to work to receive reemployment assistance, but workers’ compensation covers a period when you are unable to work.

When you experience a work-related injury, you should be aware of the workers’ compensation benefits and other financial resources that may be available.