What Injuries Qualify for Workers’ Compensation in Florida?

Any injury you suffer while working could qualify you for workers’ compensation coverage in Florida. Some common injuries that occur on the job include sprains and strains, broken bones, and repetitive stress injuries.

Certain types of work are prone to certain types of injuries. If your injuries qualify, you should receive compensation benefits. Our Fort Lauderdale work injury lawyer can represent your case if you have questions or face pushback.

Injuries That Qualify for Workers’ Compensation Coverage

Examples of work injuries that your company’s insurance provider could cover include:

• Sprains
• Broken bones
• Back and neck injuries
• Internal injuries
• Nerve injuries
• Burns

Ultimately, it’s not the specific injury that dictates whether you receive workers’ compensation coverage but how you suffered the injury. The basic requirement is that you were hurt while working.

Repetitive Motion Injuries

Carpal tunnel syndrome injuries are widely known examples of repetitive motion injuries, but these types of injuries can take many forms. If your work involves doing the same motions or tasks repeatedly, you can develop an injury that requires taking time off to rest and heal. Some injuries may mean you need accommodations to your job for you to return to work.

The Cleveland Clinic highlights injuries to joints like fingers, wrists, elbows, shoulders, and knees. Over time, repetitive strain can lead to:

• Tendonitis
• Back sprains and strains
• Stress fractures
• Ganglion cysts
• Herniated discs

Because these injuries are directly tied to work-related tasks, injured employees could qualify for workers’ compensation coverage.

Illnesses Qualify for Florida Workers’ Compensation, Too

Workers’ compensation is often synonymous with injuries, but you can seek benefits for developing an illness as well. Occupational illnesses aren’t always apparent right away, which can make pursuing a workers’ comp claim more complicated.

Even if a significant amount of time has passed since you were working in the position that caused your illness, you could still be covered under a compensation plan, so check with our comp attorneys to be sure.

Toxic Exposure

Some professions place workers in contact with toxic substances that cause injuries and illnesses. That includes:

• Asbestos
• Carbon monoxide
• Pesticides and herbicides
• Mercury
• Benzene
• Lead

Since many of these famously cause problems years or even decades down the line, our asbestos and carbon monoxide poisoning lawyers can help you pursue cases involving these and other exposures.

Occupational Illnesses

Toxic exposure often causes occupational illnesses, but not all work-related diseases happen because of exposure to substances. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) outlines some diseases that can arise from work, including:

• Musculoskeletal disorders
• Asthma
• Flu
• COVID-19
• Histoplasmosis
• Cancers
• Pest-related illnesses
• Fertility problems
• Skin diseases

For example, people working in healthcare who contract illnesses from their patients can receive workers’ compensation while they recover. Even something like Lyme disease could be covered if you developed it while working outdoors in your job.

Under What Circumstances Are Injuries Covered by Workers’ Compensation?

The National Safety Council (NSC) highlights the top causes of workplace injuries as:

1. Exposure to harmful substances or environments
2. Overexertion or bodily injury
3. Falls, slips, and trips
4. Contact with objects or equipment
5. Transportation incidents

Construction and transportation are often highlighted as the most dangerous professions, but you don’t have to work in a dangerous field to suffer an injury or illness.

You’re also covered if you get hurt while traveling for work reasons. After all, if you were only in a situation because you were there for your job. That includes anything from business trips at far-off destinations to attending conferences or meetings in town.

Pre-Existing Conditions

Some work accident victims hesitate to file claims that involve a condition they already had. However, if a workplace accident aggravates or worsens a condition, you can receive benefits. For example, if a fall from a ladder worsened an existing back injury, perhaps even leading to a herniated disc or nerve pain, you qualify for workers’ compensation.

Adjusters assigned to your claim may disagree that work made your condition worse. As a result, you can sometimes expect more scrutiny in cases involving pre-existing conditions, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t file a compensation claim.

When an Workplace Injury Isn’t Covered

Your injury doesn’t qualify for workers’ compensation if it occurred while you were:

• Off the clock
• Under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Goofing off or roughhousing at work
• Engaging in a fight with someone
• Deliberately trying to harm yourself

For example, if you were attending a voluntary happy hour after work with your boss and coworkers, and you fell, breaking your arm, you may have difficulty getting benefits. You may, however, pursue a lawsuit against the restaurant.

Our personal injury lawyers can explore your lawsuit options for situations where workers’ comp doesn’t cover your accident.

What If Your Injury Qualifies, But Workers’ Compensation Denied Your Claim?

You may have all your ducks in a row with an injury that occurred while working, yet you still face a lot of questions when filing your claim. In that case, you can talk to a workers’ compensation attorney to help handle your claim. We can represent you if you face an unfair denial.

Even if your claim wasn’t denied, you may need an advocate if:

• You’re pressured to return to work.
• You have difficulty getting the treatment you need.
• Your benefits are cut off early.
• You experience any delays or difficulties.

Workers’ compensation is insurance, and despite the coverage your employer offers, adjusters still must protect their business interests. Sometimes, that’s at the injured employees’ expense. If you feel your employer or their insurer is treating you unfairly, you are within your rights to call in backup.

Other Ways a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Can Help When You’re Injured

Our legal team can:

• Fill out your workers’ compensation claim paperwork
• Answer questions about the compensation process and provide documentation to adjusters
• Review the employee comp benefits available, including medical costs and lost wages
• Go to bat for you when you face challenges
• Explore lawsuit options if you aren’t covered by workers’ comp
• Represent you in all interactions
• Work to reduce your workload so you can recover your health

Call Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers for Your Florida Workers’ Compensation Case

You can contact our South Florida office right away following a workplace injury. Our lawyers protect your rights from the start and can answer any questions you have about whether your injury is covered by your company’s worker compensation program.

Call our firm today for a free consultation. We are ready to represent you.