Workers’ compensation is an insurance program that is designed to provide workers who injure themselves on the job with financial support and medical care. In Palatka, Florida, every employer who has four or more employees is required by law to offer workers’ compensation coverage to their employees. These employees can be full time or part-time workers.

In Florida, the law also requires some businesses to offer such coverage even if they have less than 4 employees. These include businesses engaged in the construction industry where any employer with one or more full time or part-time employee is required to have this coverage. However, the rules are slightly different for farmers. Any farming business that employs five or more employees is required by law to offer workers’ compensation coverage. In addition, farmers who have 12 or more seasonal employees and who have worked for more than 30 days will be required to offer workers’ compensation coverage to these employees, as well. Any employee who gets injured on the job and is denied workers’ comp coverage should contact a Palatka, Florida, workers compensation attorney immediately.

Benefits for Florida Workers’ Compensation Claims

Workers’ compensation offers the following benefits to injured Florida workers:

Medical Coverage for Work Injuries

Any worker who sustains a work-related injury will receive coverage for any authorized medical treatment. This coverage will include hospital bills, medical bills, prescription costs, rehabilitation costs and any other authorized medical treatment that is recommended by an authorized healthcare provider.

Coverage for Lost Income/Wages

Whenever a worker sustains an injury, there is a chance that the injuries are serious enough that they may be unable to report back to work immediately. In such an event, the injured employee will receive coverage for any lost wages. However, the amount of benefits that a worker receives will depend on the type and severity of the injury and the duration of the recovery period during which they are unable to work. There are four specific types of disability benefits, which include:

Temporary Disability Benefits

These benefits are paid to workers who must take time off work to recover from their injuries. In such a case, the employee is not paid for the first seven days of disability. They will be paid for these seven days if they end up missing more than 21 days of work. The maximum duration for receiving these benefits is 104 weeks. The amount that the injured employee receives will be equivalent to two-thirds of their average weekly wage, but the amount cannot exceed $886 per week. In case of severe injuries such blindness or paralysis, the worker will receive benefits at a rate of 80% of their regular wage for the first six months.

There are cases where an employee that has been hurt on the job is able to return to work, but is no longer able to do the same tasks that they performed before and as a result of this, cannot earn 80% of their regular wages. In these situations, they will receive 80% of the difference between their regular wage before the injury and their wage after their injury.

Permanent Disability Benefits

Any worker who gets injured at work receives medical treatment if and when required. Once this medical treatment is complete, the authorized medical professional is required to evaluate the employee to investigate if there is a permanent disability. If there is one, the worker will continue to receive workers’ compensation benefits for life. The benefits will be equivalent to two-thirds of their average weekly wage. The same maximum will be applied to permanent total disability benefits as were applicable in the case of temporary disability benefits.

In addition to temporary disability benefits and permanent disability benefits, injured employees in Florida may also be eligible to receive other benefits, including mileage reimbursement, vocational rehabilitation, death benefits and funeral expenses depending on the circumstances, type and severity of the injury.

Consult with a Florida Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Today

If you are a worker in Palatka, Florida and have been injured on the job, you should be aware that you are legally entitled to claim workers’ compensation benefits. In case you are unsure of how to go about doing so, you can contact a Palatka workers’ compensation lawyer at John Fagan Accident Lawyers. We have a team of workers’ compensation attorneys who have successfully collected workers’ compensation benefits for many clients. We know that your injuries have resulted in significant financial and emotional stress for you and your family. We are here to help you get the compensation you deserve. Call us today and we will be happy to assist you.