Florida Workers Compensation Attorney

If you were injured on the job, you are not alone. Every year in Florida, more than 50,000 workers get hurt in accidents at work or become sickened from conditions on their jobs. These injuries and illnesses are often serious enough to disrupt the lives of the affected workers, who may need to take substantial time off of work and undergo extensive medical procedures. Even relatively minor job-related injuries can create financial, emotional, and physical challenges.

In Florida, most workers who are hurt on the job are fortunate to have the legal right to receive workers’ compensation benefits to cover their medical expenses and part of their lost income. Unlike a personal injury claim, with workers’ compensation, it doesn’t matter who was at fault for the accident.

Unfortunately, navigating Florida’s workers’ compensation system can be complicated. The insurance companies who pay your benefits may try to put roadblocks in your way. If you have any problems getting the benefits you deserve, an experienced Van Dingenen Law Florida workers compensation attorney can help. We are dedicated to protecting the rights of the underdog, have more than 60 years of Florida workers’ compensation experience, and have recovered millions of dollars for our clients.

Call us at 407-967-5377 or submit the FREE CASE EVALUATION form on this page for help in receiving all the workers’ compensation benefits you deserve.

Do I Have to Hire an Attorney to Get Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Florida?

You can file for benefits without having an attorney. However, if you run into difficulties or delays in receiving your benefits, or if you have any concerns, an experienced Florida workers compensation attorney can answer your questions and help you resolve the problems to give you the best chance of having your benefits approved in a timely manner.

If your claim was denied, then you need to consult a Florida workers compensation attorney as soon as possible. Many claims that are turned down get approved on appeal. A workers’ compensation appeal, though, is not a do-it-yourself project. It’s very technical, and if you make a mistake, you could lose your chance to receive benefits. A Van Dingenen Florida workers compensation attorney would be glad to advise you on whether you should file an appeal and then guide you through the process if you do. You don’t have to worry about paying us upfront because we won’t charge you any fees until you win your case.

Other times when it’s a good idea to work with a Florida workers compensation attorney include:

• Your employer is claiming that your injuries were not caused by a workplace accident.
• Your employer retaliated against you because you filed for benefits.
• Your benefits were approved, but the amount you receive for your medical benefits and/or wage replacement is lower than it should be.
• You were approved for benefits but haven’t received them yet even though the waiting period is over.
• Someone other than your employer (or co-workers who work for the same employer) was at least partially responsible for your accident.
• You are partially or totally disabled because of your job-related injuries.

Contact Van Dingenen Law at 407-967-5377 or fill out the FREE CASE EVALUATION form on this page for help in any of these situations or if you have any other problem receiving the full workers’ compensation benefits you deserve.

Who Is Entitled to Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Florida, and What Do Those Benefits Pay For?

In Florida, most employers are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance that will pay benefits to their workers who are hurt on the job. If your employer has at least four employees, you will be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits, unless your employer is a farmer or in the construction industry. If your employer’s a farmer, you’ll be eligible if there are more than 11 seasonal workers or more than five regular employees. If your employer is in the construction business, you’ll be eligible even if you are the only employee. If you have any questions about whether your employer has workers’ compensation insurance coverage, feel free to contact us at Van Dingenen Law.

There are three types of benefits you may receive: medical, lost wages, and death.

To receive medical benefits, the doctor or other provider must be approved by your employer’s insurance carrier. The insurance company must also authorize the treatment you receive. You may be entitled to a wide range of medical services, which could include hospital stays, doctor visits, prescription drugs, physical therapy, assistive devices, care from an attendant, and travel costs to your medical providers and pharmacy.

Wage replacement benefits are usually equal to two-thirds of the wages you were earning at the time of your injury, up to a maximum equal to the average wage in Florida. The exact percentage of wages you receive and the length of time you receive them will depend on whether you are partially disabled (can work with restrictions) or totally disabled (cannot work at all) and also on whether the disability is temporary or permanent.

Death benefits are granted if, sadly, a worker passes away from a job-related injury within a year of the accident or within five years if they were continuously disabled. In Florida, there are approximately 315 fatal workplace injuries per year. These are most commonly caused by transportation accidents, falls, toxic substances, equipment accidents, violence, and explosions. Workers’ compensation death benefits may include funeral expenses, educational expenses for the worker’s spouse, and compensation to the worker’s dependents.

How an Experienced Florida Workers Compensation Attorney at Van Dingenen Law Can Help You Get All the Benefits You Deserve

Insurance companies try to pay the least amount of money in benefits that they can get away with. If you try to go up against an insurance company on your own, it’s an unfair fight. An insurance company has teams of claims representatives and lawyers who can put obstacles in your way. When you have a Van Dingenen Florida workers compensation attorney on your side, that evens the playing field. At Van Dingenen Law, we are committed to using our experience, knowledge, skills, resources, and dedication to fight for the rights of injured workers and their families.

If your much-needed workers’ compensation benefits were denied, a third party was at least partially at fault for the accident, or you are experiencing a delay or underpayment of your benefits, contact us today. Our entire practice is devoted to Florida workers’ compensation law – that is all that we do. Our strict focus on workers’ compensation helps us succeed in getting our clients all the benefits they deserve. Our record speaks for itself. We’ve obtained hundreds of millions of dollars in benefits and settlements for our clients and their families. You don’t have to pay us anything upfront because we work on a contingency-fee basis. You won’t have to pay any legal fees until you receive your benefits, and the amount of your fees will be a percentage of the benefits you receive.

If you would like expert advice and support in obtaining your workers’ compensation benefits, call us today at 407-976-5377 or submit the FREE CASE EVALUATION form on our website.