What Should I Do If I Was Hurt on the Job?

Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers | Personal Injury

What Should I Do If I Was Hurt on the Job?

If you were injured on the job, you might be entitled to medical benefits, partial wage replacement benefits, and other benefits. However, to secure these benefits, you will need to take swift action. The workers’ compensation lawyers at Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers can help you seek the benefits provided under Florida law. Call us at (727) 349-1728 to learn about your legal rights and options. 

Immediately Following the Accident

The steps you take immediately after a work-related accident can have a significant impact on your claim. Proactive steps following a work accident include:

  • Seek medical attention – Your employer’s insurance company will generally send you for treatment to an authorized doctor. However, if you need emergency treatment or the insurance company does not send you to a doctor within a reasonable time after you have requested it in writing, you can choose your own doctor for treatment. 
  • Report the accident to your employer – Under Florida law, you have up to 30 days to report your work injury to your employer. However, the longer you wait, the longer you will be waiting for any potential workers’ compensation benefits to which you might be entitled. You should complete the First Report of Injury or Illness form to provide a written report to your employer.
  • Check if your employer is covered by workers’ compensation – Unless otherwise exempted, employers in the following industries are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance if they have the following number of employees, including business owners:
    • Construction industry – One or more employees
    • Non-construction industry – Four or more employees
    • Agricultural industry – Six regular employees and/or twelve seasonal workers who have worked more than 30 days during a season but less than 45 days in a calendar year 
    • Contractors – One or more subcontractors who are not otherwise covered by workers’ compensation 
  • Gather evidence – Take note of what may have caused your injury. See if any of your coworkers saw the accident and ask them for their name and contact information. 
  • Speak to an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer – A lawyer can advise you of your legal obligations under the Florida workers’ compensation system, answer any questions you have, and confront any challenges that arise during the claims process.

These preliminary steps may help you establish your right for Florida workers’ compensation benefits. 

Following Up with Your Claim 

In the weeks and months following your claim, there are additional steps that you can take to improve your odds of being approved for benefits, recovering from your injury, and protecting your legal rights. 

After you seek initial medical treatment, you should retain all original documents from your doctor. Be sure that you ask for your treatment plan in writing and carefully follow it. You do not want to do anything that might jeopardize your health or your claim for benefits. If the doctor states that you can perform some work with limitations but you disagree or you disagree with the disability rating assigned to you by the workers’ compensation doctor, you can seek a second opinion. Your workers’ compensation lawyer can help you connect with qualified doctors and specialists. 

If your employer fails to report your injury to their workers’ compensation insurance carrier, you should report it to the insurance company directly. 

Florida law gives a deadline of two years following your work-related accident to file a petition for benefits. If you are approaching this deadline, you should seek immediate legal assistance to preserve your rights.

An experienced workers’ compensation lawyer can help protect your rights during the claims process. Reach out to a lawyer today for help. Learn more by reading our frequently asked questions about St. Petersburg workers’ compensation.

Contact the St. Petersburg Personal Injury Law Firm Of Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers for Help

For more information, please contact the Clearwater and St. Petersburg personal injury law firm of Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers at the nearest location to schedule a free consultation today.

We serve in Pinellas County, and its surrounding areas:

Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers – Clearwater
1875 N Belcher Rd. STE 201,
Clearwater, FL 33765,
United States
24 hours
727-796-8282

Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers – St. Petersburg
2560 1st Ave S,
St. Petersburg, FL 33712,
United States
24 hours
(727) 349-1728