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A blurry picture of christmas lights on a tree
By Don Van Dingenen December 19, 2023
The winter holidays are a time for relaxation and gathering together with friends and loved ones. Unfortunately, for some people, injuries put a damper on the holiday mood. While workplace injuries are generally most common in the summer, plenty of people get hurt on the job during the winter holiday season as well. There are...
A woman in a suit and tie is holding a book and pointing at it.
By Don Van Dingenen August 11, 2023
Accidents are common, unfortunately, on construction sites in Orlando and throughout the state. Construction workers suffer more fatal injuries in Florida than workers in any other type of industry. Many construction workers survive their accidents but are injured seriously enough that they need medical treatment and may need to take time off of work. If... The post How To File a Florida Construction Accident Workers’ Compensation Claim appeared first on Van Dingenen Law.
A black truck with a van dingen law sticker on the back is parked on a brick sidewalk.
By Don Van Dingenen May 19, 2023
The workers’ compensation legal team at Van Dingenen Law is excited to announce that we now have a dedicated vehicle available to bring our attorneys and staff directly to our clients, whether they are at home, at work, or in the hospital. The new Van Dingenen Law truck represents our continuing commitment to helping Florida... The post Van Dingenen Law Announces New Company Vehicle appeared first on Van Dingenen Law.
A train is going down the tracks next to a road.
By Don Van Dingenen April 22, 2022
If you are injured while working, you have a right to seek workers’ compensation benefits to cover your medical expenses and wages. Many workers’ compensation cases are straightforward – if you are injured at work, your employer’s insurance covers the claim. Not every case is this open and shut. When your injury results from the... The post How Does Third-Party Liability Impact Workers’ Compensation Cases? appeared first on Van Dingenen Law.
A laptop with a bunch of money on it
By Don Van Dingenen January 11, 2022
Ideally, when you file for workers’ compensation, your claim will be approved and you can get your benefits quickly. On the not-so-unlikely chance that your claim is challenged by the insurer or your employer, though, you will have to prepare for a back-and-forth to get what you deserve. At this point, most people hire a workers’ compensation attorney to represent... The post Workers’ Compensation Settlements with Release Forms appeared first on Van Dingenen Law.
picture of security guards
By Don Van Dingenen December 15, 2021
Some jobs are accompanied by inherent dangers, like a security guard whose job is to patrol or watch a property and intercept any criminal wrongdoers who might be there. If you work as a security guard, can you expect to be given workers’ compensation benefits because your job is innately dangerous? Or do most security personnel not... The post Do Security Guards Get Workers’ Compensation? appeared first on Van Dingenen Law.
A man is examining a woman 's back on a table.
By Don Van Dingenen November 3, 2021
Workers’ compensation can provide you with plenty of useful benefits after you have been injured at work. But one benefit it probably will not give you is any sort of financial award for your pain and suffering. Even if you have been severely injured in a work accident, you aren’t entitled to pain and suffering damages through workers’... The post Why Doesn’t Workers’ Comp Include Pain & Suffering? appeared first on Van Dingenen Law.
A man is working on a power pole with a bucket.
By Don Van Dingenen October 2, 2021
Find out whether seasonal or part-time employees qualify for workers’ compensation benefits under Florida law and what legal protections apply.
A woman in a protective suit is cleaning a counter in a kitchen.
By Don Van Dingenen September 17, 2021
Florida is one of the worst-hit states during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Nearly 3.5 million cases have been confirmed in the state, as well as 50,000 deaths. First responders have felt endangered by the high virus counts, especially paramedics who often have to take COVID-19 patients to the hospital via ambulance. In 2020, the Division... The post New Florida Law for 1st Responder COVID Workers’ Comp Claims appeared first on Van Dingenen Law.
A woman in a coat is holding a medical mask in her hand.
By Don Van Dingenen August 3, 2021
The Florida Division of Workers’ Compensation has recently reported that the number of COVID-related workers’ comp filings dropped significantly in June. There was a total of 298 such claims in June, which is less than half of the 749 filed in May. Since the beginning of the pandemic, there have been more than 44,600 COVID-19 workers’ comp... The post COVID Workers’ Comp Claims in Florida Go Down in June appeared first on Van Dingenen Law.
A person is getting a bandage on their hand.
By Don Van Dingenen July 8, 2021
How long after a workplace accident do you have to report it to your employer if you’re employed in Florida? The state’s laws regarding workers’ compensation claims require you to report the accident and injury to your employer within 30 days. Otherwise, the workers’ comp insurance company handling your claim will be free to deny it. However,... The post How Long After an Accident Do You Have to Report It to Your Employer? appeared first on Van Dingenen Law.
A roller coaster with a lot of people on it
By Don Van Dingenen June 5, 2021
Florida is world-famous for its theme parks that provide entertainment for the whole family. With COVID-19 vaccinations proving safe and effective, and approximately 40% of the American population being fully vaccinated at the time of this writing, many of the biggest theme parks in Florida are open for business again with operations feeling pretty close... The post Workers’ Compensation Benefits for Theme Park Employees appeared first on Van Dingenen Law.
A woman is sitting on a couch with a child and a laptop.
By Don Van Dingenen May 4, 2021
Remote work – or telework – has always been a pretty big thing in Florida, even before the ongoing coronavirus pandemic sent all sorts of workers into their homes. It is estimated that about 6% of workers – that’s just over 1-in-20 – in Florida are remote workers who get the majority of their job... The post Can Remote Workers in Florida Get Workers’ Compensation? appeared first on Van Dingenen Law.
A bald man with glasses is holding his neck in pain.
By Don Van Dingenen April 20, 2021
A repetitive stress injury (RSI) is an injury caused by completing the same motion over and over, usually across an extended period. While an RSI might not seem as painful or problematic as an injury caused in an accident, the truth is that many RSIs are debilitating and need ample medical care to alleviate. Another... The post Does Workers’ Comp Cover Repetitive Stress Injury? appeared first on Van Dingenen Law.
A close up of a man wearing a face mask
By Don Van Dingenen January 5, 2021
The National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) has recently reported that Florida is among the states with the most COVID-19 workers’ compensation filings. Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, and New Jersey are also among the top five states with comparatively high coronavirus workers’ comp filings. Based on the NCCI findings, Florida has 300+ coronavirus-related claims for every... The post Florida COVID Workers’ Comp Claims Spike appeared first on Van Dingenen Law.
A group of construction workers are standing on top of a construction site.
By Don Van Dingenen December 7, 2020
The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) considers the construction industry as one of the most dangerous in the country due to the inherently high risk of on-the-job injuries. Heavy equipment, toxic chemicals, great heights, busy vehicle traffic, and more are all common sights around a typical construction site. With construction work being assumedly dangerous,... The post Do Construction Workers Get Workers’ Comp in Florida? appeared first on Van Dingenen Law.
A shopping cart is filled with boxes in an aisle of a supermarket.
By Don Van Dingenen November 24, 2020
A 70-year-old Miami Beach man working for a Publix deli in the area died from COVID-19 complications in April. His surviving family is now suing the grocery chain for negligence, alleging that he had asked to wear a mask to protect him from the coronavirus but was denied by his employer. The grocer would not... The post Family Sues Publix Over Worker’s COVID Death appeared first on Van Dingenen Law.
A group of construction workers are working on a construction site.
By Don Van Dingenen October 20, 2020
Do you know the details of your workers’ compensation coverage and the benefits it can give after being hurt on the job in Florida? If you are like so many other workers and employees, then you probably do not. Employers often do not take the time to adequately explain this important coverage to their staff, leaving people uncertain of... The post 5 Florida Workers’ Comp Questions You’ve Probably Asked appeared first on Van Dingenen Law.
injured worker
By Don Van Dingenen August 21, 2020
The average workers’ compensation insurance policy can provide benefits to a worker who has been injured for all sorts of reasons. Everything from serious injuries suffered in a car accident and illnesses contracted while helping a sick to mental health difficulties due to unavoidable stressors of the job can all be valid reasons to file for workers’ compensation in... The post 10 Most Common Types of Workers’ Compensation Claims appeared first on Van Dingenen Law.
A man in a suit and white shirt is reaching out to shake someone 's hand.
By Don Van Dingenen June 4, 2020
Your Employer Cannot Retaliate Against You If you’ve been injured on the job and are experiencing challenges with filing your workers’ compensation claim, such as pushback from your employer or a dispute from the workers’ compensation insurance provider, you might have some understandable concerns about what could happen to your employment if you decide to work... The post Can Hiring A Workers’ Comp Attorney Get Me Fired? appeared first on Van Dingenen Law.
A building is being built with scaffolding and a blue sky in the background.
By Don Van Dingenen May 22, 2020
Who Is Exempt From Workers’ Compensation Insurance in Florida? The state of Florida has specific laws regarding which employers must carry workers’ compensation insurance, as well as which workers are covered. Generally speaking, any business with fewer than four employees is exempt from workers’ compensation insurance. Businesses with four or more employees, whether those employees work... The post Who Is Exempt from Workers’ Comp in Florida? appeared first on Van Dingenen Law.
A man is sitting at a table with his hands on his head.
By Don Van Dingenen April 29, 2020
Many people are under the assumption that they cannot be fired while they are on workers’ compensation. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Florida is an “at-will” state, meaning any employer can fire any employee at any time and for just about any reason. The only time an employer cannot fire a worker is when doing... The post Can I Be Fired While Collecting Workers’ Compensation in Florida? appeared first on Van Dingenen Law.
A man is pushing a wheelbarrow with a cat in it.
By Don Van Dingenen February 13, 2020
The workers’ compensation system provides benefits to people who have been injured on the job. Although many workers’ compensation claims relate to incidents such as broken bones, machinery accidents, and other singular events, claims can be filed for any injury that is work-related. This includes cases in which a person’s job aggravates a pre-existing condition. Filing a... The post Workers’ Compensation Benefits for the Aggravation of Pre-Existing Conditions appeared first on Van Dingenen Law.
A person is putting a coin into a piggy bank surrounded by coins.
By Don Van Dingenen February 1, 2020
Following a work injury, workers’ compensation benefits cover employees’ medical bills, lost wages, and some other expenses. If you were injured at work and are interested in pursuing a workers’ compensation claim, you may be curious about your financial responsibilities while receiving benefits. Nearly every source of income or financial award is taxed. Bonuses, inheritances, and even... The post Taxes and Co-Pays, and Additional Expenses While Receiving Workers’ Compensation Benefits appeared first on Van Dingenen Law.
A close up of a person 's hand casting a shadow on a wall.
By Don Van Dingenen October 19, 2019
Does your office have a strong smell to it when it is humid outside? Have you noticed strange discolorations on the walls and ceilings of your workplace? Have people around your job been getting sick with increased frequency lately? Dangerous mold growth and the exposure to it could be the underlying cause. It might even... The post Toxic Mold Exposure: Is Black Mold in Your Workplace? appeared first on Van Dingenen Law.
A man is sitting at a table with a laptop and a woman is writing on a clipboard.
By Don Van Dingenen September 13, 2019
When you get injured on the job, workers’ compensation will most likely cover your injuries, and provide a straightforward, fault-free way to get the recovery you need. However, not all employers are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance, particularly if they don’t have many employees on the payroll. In those instances, it can be difficult for injury... The post What If My Employer Doesn’t Have Workers’ Comp? appeared first on Van Dingenen Law.
Two construction workers are looking at a blueprint at a construction site.
By Don Van Dingenen July 16, 2019
While certain occupations are unavoidably riskier than others, all workers have the potential of sustaining an accident or injury, especially if working under unsafe conditions. No matter how hazardous an industry or job may be, no employee should ever fear the potential of suffering a dangerous or life-threatening injury at work. Shockingly, the National Safety Council estimates... The post Workplace Safety: What You Need To Know About Worker Safety In The Workplace appeared first on Van Dingenen Law.
A group of people in safety vests are standing in a warehouse . one of the people is in a wheelchair.
By Don Van Dingenen June 13, 2019
Over the course of your employment, you may suffer from a wide range of painful injuries on the job. When that happens, you’re entitled to workers’ compensation benefits under the law – and in some cases, you may also be entitled to receive Permanent Total Disability (PTD). PTD benefits help those who have become totally and permanently... The post Understanding Permanent Total Disability Benefits in Florida appeared first on Van Dingenen Law.
A crane is silhouetted against a cloudy sky at a construction site
By Don Van Dingenen June 1, 2019
How Long Can You Be On Workers Comp in Florida Workers’ compensation benefits don’t extend forever. Depending on the nature of your injuries, you could be subject to time limits for your workers’ comp. For most temporary injuries, you can only receive up to 104 weeks on “temporary disability compensation,” provided that you are not able to work during... The post How Long Can I Collect Workers’ Comp in Florida? appeared first on Van Dingenen Law.
A man is sitting on a couch with his hands folded in front of his face.
By Don Van Dingenen March 25, 2019
Workers Compensation Benefits After Termination In Florida, an injured worker is entitled to continue receiving medical benefits even after being terminated or leaving the company they worked for at the time of the injury. Even if an injured worker moves to another area, the insurance company is still required to provide medical treatment. What Are Lost... The post What Happens to My Workers’ Compensation Benefits After Being Fired? appeared first on Van Dingenen Law.
A man is wiping his face with a towel and drinking water from a bottle.
By Don Van Dingenen January 24, 2019
While Florida isn’t a stranger to warm winters and hot, humid summers, it’s important to remember that prolonged exposure to heat and humidity can lead to serious illnesses and tragic fatalities. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that over 600 people die from heat-related illnesses each year. Due to Florida’s subtropical... The post Workers’ Compensation & Heat-Related Illnesses appeared first on Van Dingenen Law.
A doctor is talking to a patient in a hospital hallway.
By Don Van Dingenen November 27, 2018
When you’ve been injured on the job, you could be eligible for workers’ compensation, which allows you to cover the cost of treating your serious and painful injuries. However, many people don’t realize that Medicare may require you to use a Workers’ Compensation Medicare Set-Aside agreement, or (WCMSA). But what is a WCMSA, exactly? About... The post What Is a Medicare Set-Aside? appeared first on Van Dingenen Law.
A man and two women are talking to each other in a room.
By Don Van Dingenen October 30, 2018
One of the most common questions our firm gets asked is whether an injured worker (“IW”) is able to bring a separate negligence action against the employer. The answer is “it depends.” Under the Florida Workers’ Compensation Act, an IW is limited in the benefits they may receive. For example, under this Act, the IW... The post Can You Sue Your Employer After a Workplace Accident in FL? appeared first on Van Dingenen Law.