Daytona Beach Workers' Compensation Attorney
A Lawyer Board-Certified by the Florida Bar
If you were injured on the job, you have the right to pursue workers’
compensation benefits. Florida has a no-fault system, which means you
do not need to prove that your employer was negligent. You only need to
prove that you were on the job when the injury occurred and that your
injury is work-related. While in theory you are automatically entitled
to benefits, the reality is that the system is complicated and not friendly
to workers.
At the
Law Offices of Keith C. Warnock, P.A., Mr. Warnock represents employees in all types of on the job injury claims.
As a Daytona Beach workers’ compensation lawyer, he has been advocating
for injured workers’ rights for decades. He is also board-certified
in workers’ compensation by the Florida Bar. This honor recognizes
his extensive legal knowledge, vast trial experience, high standing in
the legal community, and dedication to providing ethical representation.
More Information on Workers’ Compensation:
- Workers’ Compensation Overview
- What Exactly Is Workers’ Compensation In Florida?
- What Factors Determine The Viability Of A Workers’ Compensation Claim?
Time Limits for Reporting on the Job Injuries
When you are injured at work, you must report the accident to your employer
within 30 days. He or she then has seven days to notify the insurance
company of your claim. If your employer does not report your claim, you
can request free legal assistance from the appropriate government agency.
Mr. Warnock is also available to address your concerns and formulate a
plan of action.
Types of Available Benefits
As your attorney, Mr. Warnock will help you pursue workers’ compensation
benefits for all your medical expenses. If you are unable to work due
to your injury, he can also pursue wage loss benefits on your behalf.
Mr. Warnock understands the complexities of the system and can explain
to you how the following benefits and limits may come in play in your
specific case:
- Temporary total disability (TTD) benefits
- Temporary partial disability (TPD) benefits
- Impairment benefits (IB)
- Maximum medical improvement (MMI)
What Exactly Is Workers’ Compensation in Florida?
Worker’s compensation insurance is purchased by an employer/business
and provides benefits for job-related employee injuries. Florida law requires
all employers to purchase worker’s compensation coverage (with very
few exceptions).
The Florida Legislature enacted the state’s first Workmen’s
Compensation Act in 1935. Prior to the enactment of Florida’s worker’s
compensation law, if you were injured on the job, in order to recover
damages, you were obligated to prove that the employer was negligent in
causing your injuries. Since most injuries were not caused by the negligence
of the employer, this left the employee without any right to recover damages
for on the job injuries. Thus, the worker’s compensation system
developed to provide much-needed benefits to injured workers.
Under the workers’ compensation system, fault and negligence are
not at issue. Employers must provide benefits for work-related injuries
without regard to fault so long as two conditions are met. First, the
injury must arise out of the worker’s employment. Second, the injury
must occur in the course and scope of the worker’s employment.
In exchange for the right to receive guaranteed benefits, employees who
are injured on the job are not allowed to sue their employer for negligence.
The benefits that the injured worker is entitled to are limited to economic
damages only.
The injured worker may only recover two types of benefits:
- Medical benefits and
- Wage loss benefits
Wage loss benefits are paid if the person is either unable to work or if
work limitations prevent the injured worker from returning to the job.
In this regard, workers’ compensation differs from other areas of
civil liability, such as a car accident case or a slip and fall personal
injury case where plaintiffs can seek compensation for noneconomic damages
such as pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, inconvenience,
embarrassment, and so forth.
Furthermore, in a workers’ compensation claim, the injured worker
does not have a right to a jury trial, and any dispute is decided by an
administrative law judge.
Common Types of Work Injuries
Workplace injuries encompass a wide range of physical conditions, including:
- Neck, spine, and lower back injuries
- Construction accidents
- Slip and fall claims
- Inhalation of toxic fumes/chemical exposure
- Repetitive stress injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome
- Rotator cuff injuries
- Burn injuries
- Head injuries
- Broken bones/orthopedic injuries
- Eye injuries
- Lifting injuries
- Occupational illnesses and diseases
- Heavy equipment/machinery accidents
If you have been injured on the job, call
(386) 223-1651 for a
free consultation.
