Types of Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Florida

If you’ve been injured on the job, you may have medical bills and lost wages. FL § 440.02 provides you benefits you need in order to receive medical care or replace lost income. Contact Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers at (855) 529-0269 today to find out what types of workers’ compensation benefits in Florida you can receive.

Medical Benefits

Workers’ compensation pays 100% of all medical bills and treatment related to any work-related accident in Florida. Any medical claims related to a work injury are paid immediately. These benefits include doctor’s appointments, emergency room visits, hospital stays, medications, physical therapy, and rehabilitation treatments. Medical equipment such as crutches and wheelchairs are also covered under workers’ compensation medical benefits.

Oftentimes, the medical bills are the only compensation needed for an accident or illness that is work-related. Many work-related injuries are not severe enough to cause an employee to be unable to work, but still need medical attention. It is important to note that employer workers’ compensation plans have different levels of coverage. Depending on your employer’s plan, certain providers or treatments may not be covered. Visiting with Chalik and Chalik Injury Lawyers at (855) 529-0269 can help you determine what your rights are regarding your employer’s workers’ compensation plan.

Physical Rehabilitation Benefits

Similar to medical benefits, rehabilitation benefits help pay for therapeutic care such as physical therapy. Rehabilitation and physical therapy can often help an employee recover from a work-related accident, injury, or illness.

Vocational Rehabilitation Benefits

Another of the types of workers’ compensation benefits in Florida you could receive is vocational rehabilitation benefits. If an employee suffering from a work-related injury or illness is unable to return to the type of work they previously performed, they may qualify for vocational rehabilitation benefits under workers’ compensation insurance. The Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation will cover the cost for a worker to learn a new skill so that they can return to work doing a different type of job. Tuition, professional or educational training, and certifications may all be covered under vocational rehabilitation workers’ compensation benefits.

Many workers’ compensation insurance programs allow for two years of vocational rehabilitation, which can help the employee find other skills and employment. During the time of vocational rehabilitation, a disabled employee may still receive wage compensation for lost wages.

Wage Compensation

If the injury or illness you suffered while working on the job resulted in a disability that prevents you from working either temporarily or permanently, you may qualify for wage compensation due to your disability. The amount of wage compensation you receive through workers’ compensation will depend upon your type of disability.

• Temporary Total Disability. This type of disability applies when you cannot return to work because of their injuries. During the time you are on temporary total disability, you should receive compensation totaling two-thirds of your regular wages.
• Temporary Partial Disability. If you are able to return to work but can only work with certain restrictions such as limited hours, limited movement, or limited type of work, then you may qualify for temporary partial disability. If you are unable to earn at least 80% of your previous regular wages, you will qualify for temporary partial disability and receive additional compensation.
• If you suffered a severe injury, and your medical condition is not expected to improve, you may qualify for wage compensation based on impairment. A doctor will have to state that in their qualified, professional opinion, you have reached “maximum medical improvement.” An impairment rating will be given to you to rate your disability, and you may be put on a permanent work restriction. Your wage compensation will be determined by your impairment rating and specific condition.
• Permanent Total Disability Benefits. If your injuries from your work-related accident or illness are so serious that you are unable to ever go back to work, and you have reached your “maximum medical improvement”, you may qualify for permanent total disability benefits in Florida.

Death Benefits

If your work-related injury ultimately results in your death within one year of the accident, or five years after the disability, your family maybe receive compensation and death benefits that include funeral expenses, burial expenses, education benefits and compensation allowances for dependents. For employees who die without dependents, their benefits are limited to funeral and burial expenses.

Additionally, in some cases, the deceased’s beneficiaries are even eligible to receive a portion of the deceased employees’ wages. The amount can be quite substantial, and we can help you understand how much you may be owed if your loved one suffered a work-related injury that led to their death.

Contact a Workers’ Compensation Benefits Attorney in Florida

The different types of workers’ compensation benefits in Florida provide workers the ability to be justly compensated in the event of a workplace accident or illness. If you have suffered a work-related injury or illness, contact Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers at (855) 529-0269 today to find out how we can help you obtain your workers’ compensation benefits.