What to Do After an Orlando Work Injury?
In 2019 there were 309 reported fatal work injuries in Florida. Most of these fatalities occurred because of transportation incidents (106 fatalities), followed by falls, slips, and trips (69 total fatalities).
However, as shocking as the numbers above are, this does not even account for the work-related injuries that occur each year in Florida or the Orlando area. Unfortunately, thousands of work-related injuries and illnesses are reported each year, with thousands more going unreported.
If you experience a workplace accident and injury, you may wonder what to do or where to turn. Our team at Pardy & Rodriguez P.A. is ready to help you with your situation and ensure you get the workers’ compensation benefits you deserve.
Along with contacting our team, taking the right steps after an Orlando workplace accident is imperative.
Steps to Take After an Orlando Workplace Accident
Being injured at work can be scary. You may try to hide what happened for fear of being reprimanded, punished, or fired. You may not realize that you have rights, and one of those rights is to be compensated for the injury and resulting costs.
After an accident occurs, make sure to take the right steps to protect your legal right to workers’ compensation.
Seek Medical Care
After getting hurt on the job, you need to seek medical attention. Having a doctor provide a diagnosis and treatment as soon after the injury occurs is essential for two things:
- Ensuring you heal as quickly as possible
- Providing proof that the injury was caused at work
If your injuries or serious, have someone call an ambulance or take you to the emergency room. For less serious injuries, schedule an appointment with a doctor.
You must seek treatment from a hospital or doctor who is authorized to provide treatment by your employer. You should have access to a list of these locations somewhere at your job. While you have up to two years to seek medical care after a workplace accident, if you notify your employer of the situation, it is always best to get a medical evaluation as soon after the incident as you can.
Report the Accident to Your Supervisor Right Away
Even with minor accidents, you need to report them to your supervisor immediately. Sometimes, if you are involved in a seemingly minor accident, you may not report it. However, a few days, weeks, or even months later, you may discover the injuries were more serious than you initially thought.
If you do not report the injury within 30 days of it happening, it may result in your workers’ compensation benefits being denied. This is true regardless of how legitimate your claim is. Right after you are injured on the job, you should fill out and submit a “First Report of Injury or Illness” form and submit it to your employer. You should be able to get this form from your employer, but you can also find it at the Florida Department of Financial Services website.
Follow All Prescribed Medical Treatment
After your employer approves the claim, you will begin treatment through the employer or insurance-approved doctor. You must follow all prescribed treatments. There are two reasons this is important:
- To ensure you heal as quickly as possible
- To avoid issues with your workers’ compensation benefits
If your claim for workers’ compensation benefits is approved, then you will receive temporary total wage replacement benefits or temporary partial wage replacement benefits. The benefits you receive will start on the eighth day after your disability period begins. You only receive benefits for the initial seven days of your disability period if the injury results in the loss of 21 days or more at work.
While the amount can vary, usually injured workers in Florida receive 66% of their weekly pay in benefits. Upon reaching MMI or maximum medical improvement, you will receive permanent total benefits of permanent impairment benefits.
When to Call Our Legal Team for Help
Unfortunately, not all claims for workers’ compensation are approved or handled properly. In this case, you may need help from our legal team. We have years of experience handling Orlando workers’ compensation cases and can advocate for you to help ensure you get the benefits deserved for your injury.
If you are concerned about your situation or have any questions about your rights, we recommend getting in touch with us and scheduling a consultation. We can review the facts of your case and help ensure your rights are protected.
Are you dealing with a workers’ compensation case now? Do you have questions? If so, get in touch with our professional team at Pardy& Rodriguez P.A. by calling (407) 759-3560. We are here to help with your Orlando workers’ compensation case.
Additional Reading :
Two Common Types of Lost Wages One Would Receive Because of a Work Injury
Workplace Injury Claims: More Complicated Than They Seem
