Let An Experienced Florida Workers’ Compensation Attorney at Callejo Law Help You With Your Workers’ Compensation Claim
Workers’ compensation is a legal remedy for employees who are injured on the job, entitling them to certain benefits, including:
- Medical care and medication
- Lost wage benefits
- Vocational rehabilitation services
- Death benefits
The employer itself, or the employer’s workers’ compensation insurance policy, is obligated to pay these benefits directly to or on behalf of eligible employees. Non-exempt employers are responsible for payment of the benefits to any employee injured while in the course of employment. Employers are required to have workers’ compensation insurance or be approved to self-insure.
Unfortunately, both employers and insurance companies share the common goal of finding ways to undervalue your claim. If you have been injured on the job, let an experienced Florida workers’ compensation attorney at Callejo Law help.
How Does Workers’ Compensation Work in Florida?
Workers’ compensation law allows workers who have been injured on the job to collect certain financial benefits for themselves and their dependents, even if no employer fault is established. However, there is a trade-off: workers’ compensation laws also protect employers from being sued for job-related injuries or deaths, even if the employer was at fault or maintained a dangerous workplace environment. This limits the types of damages a plaintiff could recover in a personal injury claim.
In other words, workers’ compensation benefits are the only remedy an injured worker has, even if the employer was negligent in causing the injury. This is often known as the “Sole Remedy” rule.
Who is Covered by Workers’ Comp in Florida?
Most employees are covered starting day one of employment in Florida, whether they are full-time or part-time employees, seasonal workers, or are salaried or paid hourly. In addition, certain subcontractors and independent contractors may be covered as “employees” if they work in furtherance of an employer’s trade or business or are engaged in substantial manual labor.
There are typically limited exemptions, such as uncompensated corporate directors and officers of non-profit organizations, domestic employees, real estate salespersons, and most volunteer workers. Public officials are specifically exempt.
There are some exceptions; for example, if a third party, such as a truck driver for an independently-hired trucking company, actually caused the accident, you may have a personal injury claim against that driver and/or trucking company.
What Are Some Common Workplace Accidents?
- Motor Vehicle Accidents. Suppose your job is to drive, for example, as a delivery driver or short-range truck driver. In that case, you’re constantly at risk of impaired drivers, distracted drivers, inclement weather, and any number of mechanical problems. These inevitably lead to accidents and injuries.
- Slip and Fall Accidents. Workplaces typically have any number of unstable surfaces, including wet floors, spills, uneven surfaces, or wires and cords across the floor. These surface problems lead to slip or trip and fall accidents, causing any number of injuries.
- Construction Sites. If you work at a construction site, you’re constantly exposed to dangerous conditions such as the negligent operation of trucks or forklifts, falls from height, being struck by objects, electrocutions, caught-in/between accidents, ladder accidents, scaffolding accidents, and many more.
- Exposure to Toxic Airborne Substances. Repeated and long-term exposure to various chemicals or irritants on the job can lead to long-term lung and heart diseases. Some occupations are more dangerous than others; for example, coal miners, firefighters, police officers, other first responders, and chemical lab workers.
- Repetitive Motion Injuries. These injuries are the result of excessive repetition of motion ranging from assembly line work to typing or using a mouse at a computer.
A Florida Workers’ Comp Attorney at Callejo Law Can Help You with Your Claim
Callejo Law has over 25 years of legal experience and focuses entirely on personal injury and workers’ compensation claims. We are experienced, accessible, and available to offer you personalized attention at any time. The quality of our service has earned us a perfect 5.0 on Google Reviews, and all clients have Ms. Callejo’s cell phone number.
Contact an experienced Florida workers’ compensation attorney at Callejo Law for help if you have suffered injuries at work. We offer free consultations, same-day returns of phone calls and emails, bilingual representation, and 24/7/365 availability.