What You Should Do if You are Injured While Working
ABC News published a story recently spotlighting the account of a county worker who was killed and three firefighters who were injured after a sidewalk in a Florida suburb collapsed. The county environmental service department employee was apparently working on a water main leak beneath the sidewalk in Lake Mary when it caved in. Firefighters tried to move part of the sidewalk to give the victim some relief, but they were unaware that wires from a transformer ran directly into the hole and they got shocked. Several firefighters were hospitalized after being electrocuted where they were reportedly in stable condition. But sadly, the worker who wasn’t publicly identified perished at the scene.
Understanding Florida’s Workers’ Compensation System
Almost every worker who is hurt in Florida is eligible to obtain workers’ compensation benefits. Any time a work injury occurs for any reason here in the Sunshine State that occurs during the scope of employment, the worker is generally entitled to these benefits as a result of the no-fault workers’ compensation system that applies regardless of whether the employer or the employee was negligent. Injured workers are usually dependent on these benefits to help cover unexpected medical costs, prescriptions, doctor visits, and even the income that is lost due to the workplace injury. And in the unfortunate event that you lose a loved one in a work-related accident, there are even death benefits available under this system.
Why Do I Need Legal Help to Pursue Workers’ Compensation Benefits?
In theory, the fact that Florida’s workers’ compensation system does not require a showing of negligence would make it more straightforward to obtain benefits for workplace injuries. However, things typically play out far differently and injured workers often end up in a battle against their employer and its insurance company to obtain the benefits the worker deserves. Ensuring that you can have legal help from the very beginning can help you be compensated to the fullest extent of the law as quickly as possible without unnecessary delays.
What Should I Do if I’ve Been Injured While Working?
You should undertake a few steps to protect your rights to compensation if you sustain an injury while working which include:
- Obtain immediate medical attention. You should always seek medical assistance regardless of whether your injury seems minor or even if you don’t think you were injured at all. In addition to the fact that this can uncover underlying injuries, being proactive can also serve as documentation that can later help validate the circumstances of your claim.
- Tell your boss. As soon as you can, reach out to your supervisor about your injury and make sure that you ask for an injury report.
- Contact an experienced workers’ compensation attorney. You could reduce or even eliminate your entitlement to the benefits you could have received by pursuing your claim alone.
We Can Help You Build a Successful Claim
Following any kind of workplace injury, it is beneficial to have the assistance of a legal team that can help you recover workers’ compensation benefits while you focus on recovering your health as much as possible. As the experienced Miami workers’ compensation attorneys at Payer & Associates, we will help ensure that you maximize your entitlement to workers’ compensation benefits. Begin by contacting us today to schedule a free consultation.
Resource:
abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/killed-firefighters-injured-sidewalk-collapses-72685233
