Fort Lauderdale Workers’ Comp and Work Injury Lawyer

Sunrise personal injury lawyer David Benenfeld has an excellent reputation in the communities and courts throughout Broward, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade counties. He knows the attorneys and judges he’ll be working with, and he knows the people who’ll serve as witnesses or jurors, should a case go to trial. Most importantly, David Benenfeld knows you. Compassionate with clients and fighting hard for their needs, The Law Offices of David Benenfeld is the law firm you need to see you through your personal injury claim.

Comprehensive South Florida Personal Injury Law Firm

Year after year, Miami and Broward counties top the list for the highest numbers of vehicle crashes, injuries and deaths. This ranking is due at least in part to the large populations in these counties, but there is still no excuse for the tens of thousands of accidents occurring every year that quite frankly could largely be prevented if more people drove with the appropriate amount of care and attention. Instead, people drive drunk and distracted. They speed, and they speed away. Our firm takes on the full range of car, truck and motorcycle accidents, and also bicycle and pedestrian accidents. We represent people hit by uninsured drivers and find ways for victims of hit-and-runs to recover compensation as well.

Florida property owners have a duty to keep their premises free of hazards for the safety of customers, guests, delivery persons and others on the property. This duty includes making reasonable, periodic inspections, cleaning up spills or fixing problems as they occur, and warning the public when a danger exists. When a person slips, trips or is hit by a falling object because of a hazard on the premises, grocery stores, restaurants, department stores and apartment managers say they didn’t have time to fix the danger before the accident happened, or the accident victims simply weren’t watching where they were going. Premises liability cases are complex and hard to prove, but we pour our resources into establishing the facts of the case and holding property owners liable when their negligence is at the heart of a slip and fall injury.

When you find a nursing home to care for an ill or elderly relative, you want to know they are being treated attentively and professionally by trained, qualified staff. Unfortunately, high turnover rates and corporate profit motives make nursing home residents vulnerable to abuse from untrained, unqualified and unsupervised workers. Nursing home abuse is intolerable. We’ll take on the largest corporations in the state and hold them accountable for their failures, ensuring your loved ones are treated with the care and respect they need and deserve.

Florida Workers’ Compensation Claims

Nearly all workers in Florida are covered by workers’ compensation insurance. When employees are injured on the job, they are supposed to have their medical care paid for by workers’ compensation, and they are supposed to receive a portion of their wages while they are disabled from working. In reality, employers and their workers’ compensation insurance carriers go to great lengths to deny valid claims, and even when they do pay benefits, they look for every opportunity to cut off benefits as soon as possible, even before you’re ready to go back to work. We can help you understand how common workplace injuries happen, why workers’ comp claims get denied, and what benefits you are entitled to. If you are having trouble getting your benefits from your employer, our Fort Lauderdale workers’ compensation attorneys can help.

Common Workplace Injuries in Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale’s workforce spans construction sites, warehouses, hospitals, restaurants, retail stores, and office buildings. Each of these environments carries its own set of hazards, and injured workers in every industry deserve full access to the benefits the law provides. Our firm regularly handles claims involving back injuries, bone fractures, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, shoulder and knee injuries, and burns from chemical exposure. We also represent workers suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome, herniated discs, occupational hearing loss, and eye injuries sustained on the job.

Construction workers face some of the most dangerous conditions in any industry. Falls from scaffolding, crane collapses, trench cave-ins, and equipment malfunctions can cause catastrophic, life-altering harm. Our Fort Lauderdale construction accident lawyers handle claims involving falls from heights, scaffold and ladder accidents, crane accidents, electrocution injuries, equipment accidents, and demolition site injuries. Whether you work in residential building, commercial development, or road construction, we fight to get you the medical care and wage replacement you need.

Workers’ Compensation for Every Industry

Workplace injuries are not limited to construction sites. Warehouse workers face heavy lifting hazards, forklift accidents, and repetitive motion strain. Nurses and healthcare professionals are vulnerable to patient-handling injuries, needlestick exposures, and slip and fall accidents in fast-paced clinical environments. Restaurant and hotel employees deal with burns, cuts, and slippery kitchen floors daily. Even office workers can develop serious repetitive stress conditions or be injured in building emergencies.

No matter what industry you work in, if you were hurt on the job, The Law Offices of David Benenfeld can help you pursue the full range of benefits available under Florida’s workers’ compensation system.

Navigating the Workers’ Comp Process

The workers’ compensation system in Florida is supposed to protect injured employees, but the reality is that the process is designed to minimize what insurance companies pay out. From the moment you report your injury, the insurance carrier is looking for reasons to reduce or deny your claim. Understanding how the process works gives you a significant advantage.

After reporting your injury, your employer should file a First Report of Injury with their insurance carrier. The carrier then has the authority to direct your medical care, which often means sending you to doctors who have a relationship with the insurer rather than your best interests at heart. If you have concerns about your medical treatment, a workers’ compensation doctor dispute lawyer can help you get a second opinion or request a change in physician. Understanding independent medical examinations and maximum medical improvement determinations is critical, because these are the tools insurers use most frequently to cut off your benefits prematurely.

If your claim has been denied by the insurance company, you have the right to challenge that decision through the workers’ compensation process. Our attorneys can file a Petition for Benefits on your behalf and represent you at hearings before the Judge of Compensation Claims. We also handle workers’ compensation appeals when initial decisions do not go in your favor.

Protecting Your Rights After a Work Injury

Employers and insurance companies sometimes retaliate against workers who file claims or push back on benefit denials. If you have experienced any form of punishment for exercising your legal rights, our workers’ compensation retaliation lawyers can hold your employer accountable. Florida law protects injured workers from being fired, demoted, or disciplined for filing a legitimate claim.

When your injuries involve the negligence of someone other than your employer, you may also have a third-party workers’ compensation claim. These cases arise when a subcontractor, equipment manufacturer, property owner, or another driver causes your workplace injury. A third-party claim can provide compensation beyond what workers’ comp offers, including full lost wages and pain and suffering damages. Understanding whether you qualify for temporary versus permanent disability benefits and how to handle return to work issues can make a meaningful difference in your long-term recovery and financial stability. Our attorneys also help clients negotiate fair workers’ compensation settlements when resolving a claim through a lump-sum agreement is in your best interest.

Fort Lauderdale Work Injury FAQs

What should I do immediately after a workplace injury in Fort Lauderdale?

Report your injury to your employer as soon as possible, ideally in writing. Under Florida law, you must report a workplace injury within 30 days to preserve your right to workers’ compensation benefits. Seek medical attention right away, even if your injury seems minor. Document everything, including photos of the scene and witness contact information. An experienced work injury attorney at the Law Offices of David M. Benenfeld, P.A. can guide you through the process from day one.

How long do I have to file a workers’ compensation claim in Florida?

In Florida, you generally have two years from the date of your workplace injury or the date you last received authorized medical treatment to file a Petition for Benefits. However, you should report your injury to your employer within 30 days. Waiting too long can jeopardize your claim, so contacting a Fort Lauderdale workers’ comp lawyer as early as possible is in your best interest.

What types of benefits can I receive through Florida workers’ compensation?

Florida workers’ compensation may cover medical treatment related to your injury, temporary wage replacement benefits if you cannot work, permanent impairment benefits if you suffer lasting effects, vocational rehabilitation to help you return to work, and death benefits for surviving family members in fatal workplace accidents. David M. Benenfeld can help you pursue every benefit you are entitled to under the law.

Do I get to choose my own doctor for a workers’ comp injury?

In most cases, your employer or their insurance carrier has the right to select your authorized treating physician under Florida’s workers’ compensation system. However, you may be entitled to request a one-time change of physician if you are unhappy with the care you are receiving. A knowledgeable workers’ comp attorney can help you navigate the process of getting appropriate medical treatment.

Can I be fired for filing a workers’ compensation claim in Florida?

Florida law prohibits employers from retaliating against employees who file workers’ compensation claims. If you have been terminated, demoted, or otherwise penalized for reporting a workplace injury or seeking benefits, you may have a separate retaliation claim. The Law Offices of David M. Benenfeld, P.A. can help protect your rights if your employer has acted unlawfully.

What if my workers’ compensation claim is denied?

A denied claim does not mean your case is over. Insurance companies deny claims for many reasons, including disputes over whether the injury is work-related or whether the treatment is medically necessary. You have the right to challenge a denial by filing a Petition for Benefits with the Florida Office of the Judges of Compensation Claims. Having a Fort Lauderdale workers’ comp lawyer on your side significantly improves your chances of a successful outcome.

Can I sue my employer for a workplace injury in Florida?

In most situations, workers’ compensation is the exclusive remedy for workplace injuries in Florida, meaning you cannot sue your employer directly. However, there are exceptions. If a third party, such as a contractor, equipment manufacturer, or property owner, contributed to your injury, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against that party. David M. Benenfeld can evaluate your case and determine whether additional legal claims are available to you.

How much does it cost to hire a Fort Lauderdale workers’ comp attorney?

At the Law Offices of David M. Benenfeld, P.A., workers’ compensation cases are handled on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay no upfront costs or out-of-pocket fees. Attorney fees in Florida workers’ comp cases are regulated by statute and approved by the Judge of Compensation Claims. You can get experienced legal representation without any financial risk.

What types of workplace injuries does David M. Benenfeld handle?

The firm handles a wide range of work-related injuries, including back and spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, broken bones and fractures, repetitive stress injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome, construction site accidents, slip and fall injuries on the job, injuries caused by defective equipment, and occupational illnesses caused by toxic exposure. No matter how your injury occurred, the firm can evaluate your claim and fight for the compensation you deserve.

How long does a workers’ compensation case take to resolve in Fort Lauderdale?

The timeline varies depending on the complexity of your case, the severity of your injuries, and whether the insurance company disputes any aspect of your claim. Some cases settle within a few months, while others may take a year or longer, especially if a hearing before a Judge of Compensation Claims is required. The Law Offices of David M. Benenfeld, P.A. works to resolve cases as efficiently as possible while making sure you receive the full benefits you are owed.

Serving Workers Across South Florida

While our main office is located in Sunrise, we proudly represent injured workers throughout South Florida. If you were hurt on the job anywhere in the region, our attorneys are ready to help. We handle workers’ compensation cases in Broward County, Sunrise, Hollywood, Coral Springs, Pembroke Pines, Miramar, Lauderhill, Deerfield Beach, Pompano Beach, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, Miami, Miami Gardens, and Hialeah. No matter where in South Florida your workplace injury occurred, we can travel to meet you when you cannot come to us.

Your Fort Lauderdale Workers’ Compensation Law Firm, Working for You

We serve clients throughout Broward County, Miami-Dade County, and Palm Beach County. Our main office is in Sunrise, but we also meet by appointment at offices in Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. Importantly, we can travel out to see when you can’t come to us. We know you may be homebound or hospital-bound, and we want to make the process of pursuing your claim as convenient and easy as possible for you. We speak Spanish in the office and are happy to serve you in your preferred language of choice. All consultations are free, and we only charge a fee after we recover for you. Our fee is a percentage of the amount we recover, so you never have to worry about paying your fee or losing your settlement to legal bills. We want to get the best result for you, and our Fort Lauderdale worker injury attorneys will fight hard to make it happen. Call The Law Offices of David Benenfeld today.