Documenting Functional Limitations in a Fort Lauderdale Workers’ Compensation Claim
Workers’ compensation benefits in Fort Lauderdale provide a lifeline when injuries happen on the job. However, in the aftermath, there may be a gap between what your medical records say and what you actually experience every day.
Your authorized treating physician may have already cleared you to return to work in some capacity, but you may not be able to lift what you used to, stand for more than an hour without significant pain, and perform certain movements that were previously routine. Our experienced Fort Lauderdale workers’ compensation lawyer explains how to build a record that accurately reflects the situation and why it matters to the outcome of your claim.
How Functional Limitation Documentation Determines What You Receive
When on-the-job injuries in Fort Lauderdale happen, your doctor will determine when you reach a level of maximum medical improvement. This means any ongoing impacts are likely to be permanent. Under Florida workers’ compensation law, benefits available once you reach this point depend largely on what your medical records say.
Functional limitations that often lack documentation in Fort Lauderdale workers’ compensation claims include:
- Reduced range of motion.
- Inability to carry or lift heavy objects.
- Fine motor skin impairment and reduced grip strength.
- Chronic pain and reduced stamina.
Impairment ratings and disability determinations all trace back to documented functional limitations. A record that understates your limitations translates directly into reduced benefits.
How To Build a Strong Functional Limitation Record in Your Fort Lauderdale Workers’ Comp Claim
Thoroughly documenting the impact of your injuries in a Fort Lauderdale workers’ compensation claim requires consistent effort, both during treatment and while you recover. Take these steps to build a strong functional limitation record:
- Use a daily journal to document functional impacts, both at home and on the job.
- Take this journal to every medical appointment and ask your physician to review and reference it in their notes so it becomes part of the official record.
- Request a functional capacity evaluation, a formal assessment that objectively measures what physical tasks you can and cannot perform, if your treating physician has not already ordered one.
- Ask your physician to document not only your diagnosis but also the specific ways your condition limits your daily and occupational function.
The more evidence you have documenting your condition and the impairments it causes, the harder it is for an insurer to reduce or deny your Fort Lauderdale workers’ compensation benefits.
For Help Documenting Functional Limitations, Contact Our Experienced Fort Lauderdale Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
Do your Fort Lauderdale workers’ compensation records reflect the full impact of your injury? If not, it could jeopardize your rights to benefits. For trusted legal help in this situation, contact The Law Offices of David M. Benenfeld, P.A.
Our experienced Fort Lauderdale workers’ compensation lawyer can thoroughly review your medical records, identify any gaps, and make sure your claim reflects the full impact of your injuries. Reach out to our Sunrise, Fort Lauderdale, or West Palm Beach office to schedule your consultation today.
Source:
leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0400-0499/0440/0440.html