OSHA Report on Workers’ Compensation – Part 2

The report of the Occupational Safety Administration (OSHA) finds that roughly 3 million serious work related accidents and 4,500 deaths happen on the job in the US annually. But while that may seem high to you the report goes on to find what workers’ compensation attorneys like myself encounter frequently; that the majority of worker related accidents are never reported or recorded by employers.

Employers get away with not reporting many accidents in many ways. One way is they threaten to fire the employee if he or she reports the accident or goes to a doctor. Frequently employers force the injured worker to lie and tell the ER doctor or other physician that the accident happened at some place other than work, usually at home. In my nearly 20 years of representing injured workers I come across this tactic numerous times a year. Another way is where the employer misclassifies the employee as an independent contractor even though the worker is legally an employee. This removes the payroll tax burden on the employer and also permits them to avoid providing workers compensation benefits.

While these tactics by employers are common they do not prevent you from bringing forth a workers’ compensation claim. They will make your case more difficult but an experienced workers’ compensation attorney in Miami, FL like myself can navigate the issues and get you or your loved ones the benefits you deserve.

If you or a loved one have been injured on the job in Florida and would like to discuss your case please call me, James D. Payer, today. All consultations are free and 100% confidential.