After a workplace injury in Sunrise or elsewhere in South Florida, it can be difficult to focus on the logistical aspects of filing a workers’ compensation claim or taking steps that involve paperwork or what may feel like busywork when you are grappling with debilitating physical harm. Yet it is critical to do everything you can to ensure that your workers’ compensation claim is approved and that you are entitled to begin receiving wage replacement benefits and medical care under Florida workers’ compensation law. What can you do to give yourself the best chance of obtaining the workers’ compensation benefits you need? Consider the following tips from our experienced South Florida workers’ compensation lawyers.
Report Your Injury As Soon As Possible to Your Employer
Under Florida law, you are required to report your workplace injury to your employer within 30 days from the date of the accident with only a few exceptions. While you do have 30 days from the moment of injury to report the claim to your employer, you should report the claim as soon as possible so that you do not risk putting yourself in a situation where you fail to meet the reporting requirement and put your ability to obtain workers’ compensation benefits in jeopardy.
See a Doctor Immediately in an Emergency
While Florida law requires an injured worker to see a physician for ongoing treatment selected by the healthcare provider, you are not required to wait to see an authorized healthcare provider if your injury requires emergency treatment. To be clear, for initial emergency treatment, you do not need to have your healthcare provider authorized by your employer or the insurer. In fact, it is extremely important to receive emergency medical care as soon as possible, especially if your injuries could worsen without immediate treatment.
Be Sure to See an Authorized Healthcare Provider
Whether your initial injury does not require emergency treatment, or you will need to see a physician on an ongoing basis after getting initial emergency treatment after a workplace accident, it is critical to see an authorized provider. Otherwise, you may risk losing your ability to receive workers’ compensation benefits. If you do not like the physician or specialist you are seeing, you may be able to make a request to change your healthcare provider with help from a workers’ compensation lawyer.
Be Honest at Every Step of the Workers’ Compensation Process<
Be truthful in every interaction you have concerning workers’ compensation, from reporting the injury to providing medical history and background information to your doctor.
Hire an Attorney As Soon As Possible
Many injured workers wait to hire an attorney until they run into a problem with workers’ compensation benefits or need assistance appealing a denial of benefits. Before any problems have a chance to affect your case, you should hire a Sunrise workers’ compensation lawyer who can ensure that your claim is handled in a proper and timely manner.
Contact Our Workers’ Compensation Lawyers in Sunrise
Do you need assistance seeking workers’ compensation benefits or appealing a denial of benefits? Our Sunrise workers’ compensation attorneys are here to assist you and to help you obtain the benefits you need. Contact the Law Offices of David M. Benenfeld, P.A. to learn more.
Source:
leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0400-0499/0440/0440ContentsIndex.html
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