What Should I Do When On-The-Job Injuries in Fort Lauderdale Happen?
One moment you are busy doing your job, and the next you suffer serious injuries. It may have been due to a sudden accident or an ongoing issue that finally becomes unbearable.
Either way, the decisions you make in the hours and days after a workplace injury have a direct impact on your rights to workers’ compensation in South Florida. Our experienced Fort Lauderdale workers’ compensation lawyer walks you through exactly what to do, step by step, to protect your benefits.
How to Protect Your Fort Lauderdale Workers’ Comp Claim From the Start
According to the Florida Division of Workers’ Compensation, workers are required to report a workplace injury to their employer within 30 days under Section 440.185 of the Florida Statutes.
Unfortunately, if you miss that window, the insurer may deny your claim.
Reporting on-the-job injuries immediately is the first step. Other actions that help protect your rights to workers’ compensation benefits in Fort Lauderdale right from the start include:
- Tell your employer what happened in writing, the same day if at all possible; include the date and time, where the injury happened, how it occurred, and keep a copy for yourself.
- Get medical attention right away, even if the injury seems manageable. A gap between your injury and your first medical visit gives the insurer room to argue the injury wasn’t serious or didn’t happen at work.
- See the authorized treating physician your employer’s insurer directs you to. If you need emergency treatment first, go immediately, but follow up through the authorized system as soon as possible.
- Explain to treating providers exactly how the injury happened and connect it specifically to your job duties.
Start keeping records right now. Keep every medical bill, prescription, appointment reminder, and any communications from your employer or their insurer.
What Not To Do After a Workplace Injury in Florida
Knowing what not to do is also important when filing a Fort Lauderdale workers’ compensation claim. Mistakes that can jeopardize your rights to benefits include:
- Posting about your injury, your activities, or your recovery on social media, as this is the first place insurers look for evidence to use against you.
- Accepting quick settlement offers, which are almost always lower than what the claim is actually worth.
- Skipping medical appointments or stopping treatment before your doctor clears it, a common reason for denied claims.
To prevent these or other mistakes that could jeopardize your benefits, get help from an experienced Fort Lauderdale workers’ comp lawyer, especially before giving recorded statements to the insurer.
Request a Consultation With An Experienced Fort Lauderdale Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Today
You may be entitled to benefits for on-the-job injuries in Fort Lauderdale, but insurers look for ways to dispute and deny claims. The Law Offices of David M. Benenfeld, P.A. protects your rights. Our experienced Fort Lauderdale workers’ compensation lawyer provides trusted legal guidance to help you get the benefits you deserve. To request a consultation at our Sunrise, Fort Lauderdale, or West Palm Beach office, call or contact us online today.
Sources:
myfloridacfo.com/division/wc/employee/injured-worker-faqs
leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0400-0499/0440/Sections/0440.185.html