No matter what your line of work is, injuries on the job are possible. They can occur due to an accident or repeated strain on your body that occurs during your working hours.
Worker’s compensation helps you by covering costs such as medical bills and lost wages following an accident. Whether you suffer from a minor injury or a serious one, taking the proper actions helps ensure coverage of your expenses.
1. Report your injury
When you suffer injuries on the job, reporting the situation to a supervisor is an important early step. Florida has a limit of 30 days for reporting, but doing so sooner is advisable. Writing a report may help protect your interests more than giving only a verbal report by giving you and your employer a clear record of what happened.
2. Get medical care
In an urgent or life-threatening situation, visit the emergency room. Otherwise, make sure you understand any rules regarding which doctors or practices you should see. Your employer might have specific care providers their insurance authorizes.
3. Recieve worker’s compensation
Your employer should respond to reported injuries by contacting their insurance company within seven days following the incident. The benefits and assistance you qualify for vary on a case-by-case basis. Once the company files a claim, the insurance company should send you additional information in the form of a brochure.
Unfortunately, problems sometimes arise with filing a workers comp claim. Even if your company denies filing a claim, you still have rights under Florida Law.