Frequently Asked Questions

Van Dingenen Law represents injured workers in Florida workers’ compensation cases. Our legal firm focuses exclusively on helping people who have been hurt on the job, including workers facing denied claims, delayed medical treatment, lost wage issues, disability benefits, death claims, settlements, and other workplace injury concerns.

Yes. Workers’ compensation is our exclusive focus. Rather than treating workers’ compensation as one of many practice areas, our Florida workers’ compensation attorneys dedicate their experience, strategy, and resources to helping injured workers go through the workers’ compensation system with confidence.

Van Dingenen Law has been helping injured workers and their families since 2003. Led by Donald Van Dingenen and Blaze Schwartz, our legal team brings more than two decades of service and over 60 years of combined workers’ compensation experience. We understand how overwhelming a workplace injury can be, and how important it is to have the right support from the beginning.

Van Dingenen Law offers the focused attention of a small firm with the experience and results clients expect from a larger legal team. Our Florida workers’ compensation lawyers are committed to giving injured workers personal guidance, strong advocacy, and practical support at every stage of the claim.

We are proud to offer:

• Over 60 years of devoted workers’ compensation experience
• 100+ million dollars recovered for our clients and their families
• Small-firm dedication and focus with large-firm results
• A legal team that will travel to you so that you can focus on your recovery

Our Florida workers’ compensation attorneys handle many types of workplace injury claims, including traumatic accidents, repetitive stress injuries, occupational illnesses, construction injuries, warehouse injuries, hospitality injuries, medical treatment disputes, lost wage claims, denied claims, and fatal work injury claims.

Van Dingenen Law represents injured workers and their families throughout Florida. Our clients include construction workers, landscapers, warehouse employees, hospitality workers, restaurant workers, theme park workers, healthcare workers, firefighters, law enforcement officers, delivery drivers, and others who perform physically demanding or high-risk jobs.

Yes. If your workers’ compensation claim has been denied, our legal team can help you understand what happened and what steps may be available next. A denial does not always mean your case is over. Our Florida workers’ compensation lawyers help injured workers challenge denied claims, gather supporting evidence, and fight for the benefits they need.

We know that traveling after a workplace injury can be painful, stressful, or even impossible. If you cannot meet with an Orlando workers’ comp lawyer at our main office, that is not a problem. When needed, our legal team can come to you, so you can focus on your health, medical treatment, and recovery while we focus on your case.

Van Dingenen Law handles workers’ compensation cases on a contingency fee basis. That means you do not pay attorney’s fees unless we obtain results for your case. We also offer free case evaluations, so you can speak with our legal team and learn more about your options without upfront costs.

Van Dingenen Law serves injured workers throughout Florida, including Orlando, Winter Park, Apopka, Daytona Beach, Deltona, Kissimmee, Lakeland, Melbourne, Ormond Beach, Oviedo, Palm Bay, Port Orange, Sanford, St. Cloud, Winter Haven, and surrounding communities. Whether you are in Central Florida or another part of the state, our workers’ compensation attorneys are here to help.

Our track record reflects a deep commitment to helping injured workers and their families move forward after workplace injuries. Van Dingenen Law has recovered more than $100 million for clients, including major results for workers facing life-changing injuries.

Our case results include a $76.6 million verdict for a paralyzed construction worker, a $26.9 million verdict for a paralyzed bank teller, and a $7.5 million verdict for a paralyzed security guard. While every case is different and past results do not guarantee future outcomes, these results show the level of care, preparation, and determination our legal team brings to workers’ compensation and workplace injury cases.

You may qualify for workers’ compensation in Florida if you were injured while performing your job duties or developed an illness because of your work. Florida workers’ compensation is generally a no-fault system, which means you usually do not have to prove that your employer caused your injury. Our Florida workers’ compensation attorneys can review your situation and help you understand whether your injury, illness, or denied claim may qualify for benefits.

In Florida, you generally have 30 days to report a work-related injury or illness to your employer. However, if you are not immediately aware that your injury is work-related, you have 30 days from the time you knew or should have known that it was work-related. Waiting too long can put your benefits at risk. Injured workers also generally have two years from the date of injury or illness to file a claim for benefits. Because deadlines can affect your right to benefits, it is important to speak with a workers’ compensation lawyer as soon as possible after a workplace accident.

Workers’ compensation benefits may include authorized medical treatment, wage replacement benefits, disability benefits, and, in fatal workplace injury cases, death benefits for eligible family members. If your authorized doctor says you cannot work because of your injury, wage benefits are commonly based on a portion of your regular wages, subject to Florida law and state limits. Our legal team can help you understand which benefits may apply to your case and what to do if those benefits are delayed, denied, or reduced.

A denied workers’ compensation claim in Florida does not necessarily mean your case is over. Claims may be denied for many reasons, including missed deadlines, disputes about whether the injury was work-related, lack of medical evidence, or insurance company challenges. Our Florida workers’ compensation lawyers can review the denial, explain your options, gather supporting evidence, file the necessary paperwork, and fight for the benefits you deserve.

In most Florida workers’ compensation cases, the insurance company chooses the authorized treating doctor. However, injured workers may have the right to request a one-time change of physician. Because your doctor can play an important role in your treatment, work restrictions, and benefits, it is wise to speak with a workers’ compensation attorney before making this request.

You should not have to fight alone for the medical care you need after a workplace injury. Workers’ compensation should generally cover authorized treatment related to your job injury. If the insurance company is delaying, denying, or limiting your medical care, our legal team can step in, challenge the issue, and work to help you get the treatment you need to recover.

Yes. Florida workers’ compensation is generally a no-fault system, so you may still qualify for benefits even if you made a mistake that contributed to the accident. However, there are exceptions, including self-inflicted injuries, caused by starting a fight, or connected to criminal conduct. Our Florida workers’ compensation attorneys can review the details of your accident and help you understand your rights.

If a loved one passed away because of a workplace accident or work-related illness, eligible family members may be able to pursue workers’ compensation death benefits. These cases can involve funeral expenses, lost financial support, and disputes with the insurance company. Van Dingenen Law helps families in Florida seek death benefits while handling the legal burden with compassion and care during an incredibly difficult time.

You can contact Van Dingenen Law by calling 407-606-8568 or by requesting a free case evaluation through our website. Our Florida workers’ compensation attorneys are ready to listen, answer your questions, and help you understand the next step in your case.