On-The-Job Injuries In Fort Lauderdale Due To Fatigue: Can You Still Get Florida Workers’ Compensation Benefits?
Long shifts. Mandatory overtime. Short staffing. For many Florida workers, fatigue is part of the job. However, working while exhausted isn’t just uncomfortable; it’s dangerous. Fatigue slows your reaction time, affects judgment, and increases the risk of on-the-job injuries in South Florida.
If you were in a work-related accident due to being tired or overworked, you may be worried about whether workers’ compensation still applies. Fortunately, the answer is yes. Fatigue does not impact your rights to benefits. Our experienced Fort Lauderdale workers’ compensation lawyer explains how exhaustion leads to injuries and how workers’ compensation can protect you.
How Fatigue Increases the Risk of Workplace Injuries in South Florida
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) warns workers that long hours on the job and extended or swing shifts can increase the risk of fatigue-related work injuries. It can also happen to people who work multiple jobs, are juggling both school and work schedules, suffer from insomnia and other sleep disorders, or are new parents (babies have a way of impacting sleep schedules).
Fatigue affects both the body and the brain. Common ways it can contribute to work-related injuries in Fort Lauderdale include:
- Slower reaction times increase the risk of slips, falls, and equipment accidents.
- Poor decision-making can result in dangerous errors on job sites.
- Reduced strength and coordination increase the risk of overuse injuries.
- You’re more likely to make dangerous errors when operating tools, machinery, or vehicles.
Fatigue-related injuries are common among healthcare workers, warehouse employees, truck drivers, construction workers, and first responders, as well as anyone working extended or irregular hours.
Workers’ Compensation For Fatigue-Related Workplace Injuries in Fort Lauderdale
Benefits available through the Florida Division of Workers’ Compensation act as a form of insurance for workers and do not require proving your employer was negligent. If your injury happened on the job, you have the right to file a claim, even if you were fatigued at the time. Benefits available include:
- Medical treatment through authorized providers, including follow-up care, medications, and physical therapy.
- Wage replacement benefits if fatigue-related injuries prevent you from working.
- Temporary partial benefits if you can return to work, but under restrictions or reduced hours.
- Total disability benefits if you suffer injuries that prevent you from working in the future.
Insurers may try to use the fact that you were fatigued to deny you benefits, but that’s not how it works. Being tired does not disqualify you from receiving workers’ compensation benefits in South Florida.
Fatigued-Related Work Injuries? Contact Our Experienced Fort Lauderdale Workers’ Compensation Lawyer to Protect Your Rights to Benefits
At The Law Offices of David M. Benenfeld, P.A., we help workers who suffer fatigue-related injuries get the benefits they need to cover their medical care, missed earnings, and other costs.
Our experienced Fort Lauderdale workers’ compensation lawyer provides caring support and the fierce legal representation you need throughout the claims process. Call or contact us online today to schedule a consultation in our Fort Lauderdale, Sunrise, or West Palm Beach office.
Sources:
osha.gov/worker-fatigue
myfloridacfo.com/division/wc