Vero Beach Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

If you have a work-related injury or illness and your employer participates in Florida’s workers’ compensation program, you are likely eligible for benefits. The rules can be confusing, but do not worry. This is when you should hire a workers’ compensation attorney. Just call us at 855-529-0269 for a consultation. A Vero Beach workers’ compensation lawyer at Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers would be happy to help.

Get Started Right Away

Be sure to call us right away because there are short deadlines and other requirements that you need to know. If you do not jump through all the hoops, you could lose your right to collect benefits.

Florida’s workers’ compensation program has strict rules, many of which could destroy your right to collect benefits. We can provide guidance on how to avoid making a mistake that could cost you thousands of dollars. You worked hard, and got sick or hurt because of your job. Let us help protect your right to get medical treatment, wage replacement, and other benefits.

How Soon You Have to Report Your Job-Related Illness or Injury

As soon as you realize that your job caused or contributed to your injury or illness, you only have 30 days to file a written notice to your employer. Make sure that you use the correct form and keep a copy so that you can prove when you provided notice.

If you do not notify your boss in time, you might lose the right to get free medical treatment and partial wage replacement benefits. If you lose your eligibility for medical care through workers’ compensation, you might have to pay for your treatments, including surgery and hospitalization, out of pocket because your regular health insurance usually does not cover work-related illnesses or injuries.

Types of Workers’ Compensation Program Benefits

There are several types of workers’ compensation benefits available to workers in Florida. The workers’ compensation program in Florida can provide medical treatment, help replace some of your income, and pay death benefits to eligible beneficiaries.

Free Medical Treatment

You cannot go to your regular doctor, but if you qualify, you can get the medical care you need to treat your work-caused illness or injury at no cost from a doctor on your employer’s approved list. Your coverage can pay for your surgeries, medical treatment, doctor bills, hospitalization, diagnostic testing, prosthetic devices, physical therapy, and prescription drugs.

Be sure to tell all health care providers who treat you that your injury or illness is work-related. You must give these professionals and facilities the contact information for your employer or its workers’ compensation insurance company.

Lost Wages, Disability, and Impairment Awards

Florida workers’ compensation program provides benefits that replace some of your income if you cannot work, make less money, or experience lasting effects from your injury or illness.

• Temporary Total Disability (TTD)— This benefit can pay you between two-thirds and four-fifths of your regular paycheck if you are unable to work for a time while you recuperate.

• Temporary Partial Disability (TPD)— This can pay you supplemental income for up to 104 weeks to help make up the difference if you have to go on limited duty after returning to work, and this situation causes you to make less than 80 percent of your previous wages.

• Impairment Income Benefits (IIB)— This can compensate you for permanent impairment. After your treating doctor feels you have recuperated as much as you are going to, you will get a rating that includes the percentage of your permanent impairment.

• Permanent Total Disability (PTD)— These benefits can provide funds for you if your treating doctor determines that you will never be able to perform any gainful employment to support yourself as a result of your work-related injury or illness.

Death Benefits

When a work-related illness or injury takes the life of a worker, qualified survivors can collect death benefits. The death must occur within one year of the initial incident or five years of continuous disability.

The workers’ compensation insurance company can pay up to a total of $150,000 in death benefits, which can include:

• Compensation to the dependents
• $7,500 for funeral expenses
• Educational benefits for the surviving spouse.

Our team can help you determine the workers’ compensation you deserve: 855-529-0269.

Participating Employers

You can only get workers’ compensation benefits if your employer participates in the state’s program. Almost every employee has to carry workers’ compensation coverage. Your boss must provide workers’ compensation insurance if your employer is:

• A state or local government entity
• An employer with at least four full-time or part-time employees
• A construction company that employs at least one worker
• A farmer who has at least five regular employees or at least 12 seasonal workers for at least 30 days.

Employers Who Do Not Participate in Florida’s Workers’ Compensation Program

Some types of companies do not have to provide our state’s workers’ compensation coverage for employees. Fortunately, many of these industries provide federal workers’ compensation benefits.

The rules, eligibility factors, and benefits of the federal programs can differ from our state coverage. We will be happy to explain the differences to you.

Some of the federal workers who are not part of the Florida workers’ compensation program include:

• Employees of the federal government
• Defense contractors
• Longshoremen
• Railroad employees
• Harbor workers

Reasons to Work with a Vero Beach Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

A Vero Beach workers’ compensation lawyer can help you with your benefits claim. The law does not require you to work with an attorney, but there are many advantages to doing so.

If you were injured at work, our injury attorneys can answer your questions, explain what to expect in the process, and provide guidance on vital issues like deadlines and other rules. You can focus on getting better while we take care of the rest.

You will work directly with one of our law firm partners. We are approachable, and we understand what you are experiencing. We will treat you with honesty and respect, and work hard to get you all the benefits you deserve. Call Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers at 855-529-0269 for a free consultation about your Vero Beach workers’ compensation claim. There is no obligation.