Semi-Retired Workers: Can I Get Workers’ Compensation For A Work Injury?
Many residents of South Florida are semi-retired and working part-time jobs, or they are fully retired and engage in regular volunteer work in Fort Lauderdale and throughout the region. When a semi-retired or retired worker is injured, are they eligible for workers’ compensation? In general, it is important to know that anyone who is injured while being paid to work, and whose injury arises out of and occurs in the course of employment, can be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. Volunteering injuries are more complicated and are not usually compensable, but there are some exceptions. Our workers’ compensation lawyers in Fort Lauderdale can tell you more, and we can speak with you today about the particular circumstances of your injury and your options for compensation.
Being Semi-Retired Does Not Affect Workers’ Compensation Eligibility If You Are An Employee
If you are employed in South Florida, the fact that you are semi-retired, or that you retired from a full-time job in another state to move to Florida, will not affect your workers’ compensation benefits. There is no age cutoff for workers’ compensation coverage, and there is no requirement that says an employee cannot have retired from another position. If you are an employee and you otherwise meet eligibility requirements, your status as a semi-retired Florida resident will not prevent you from obtaining workers’ compensation benefits.
Part-Time Workers Can Be Eligible for Workers’ Compensation Benefits
Under Florida law, it does not matter if you are a full-time worker or a part-time worker for purposes of workers’ compensation eligibility. Just like full-time workers, part-time workers can be eligible for benefits. Accordingly, if you retired from a full-time profession and have moved to South Florida, where you now work part-time as a semi-retired resident, you can certainly be eligible for workers’ compensation coverage if you are injured on the job.
Volunteering Injuries Are Not Usually Compensable But There Are Exceptions
Many semi-retired Floridians and retirees in the state spend some of their spare time volunteering. Unfortunately, injuries sustained while volunteering are not typically compensable. However, there are some exceptions. Most notably, if you were volunteering for any type of government entity when you got hurt, you could be eligible for compensation. In addition, if the place where you were volunteering was compensating you for your time — even if it was not in the form of a monetary payment — you could possibly be considered a worker, and you should discuss your options with a workers’ compensation lawyer.
Contact Our Fort Lauderdale Workers’ Compensation Attorneys
Many South Florida residents are semi-retired, and they spend a significant amount of time doing part-time work rather than working full-time hours as they did when they were younger. It is critical to know that injuries that arise during part-time work are compensable just as they would be for full-time employees. If you have questions or need help seeking workers’ compensation benefits, a lawyer can help you. Do not hesitate to get in touch with an experienced Fort Lauderdale workers’ compensation attorney at the Law Offices of David M. Benenfeld, P.A. to learn more about how we can assist you with your workers’ compensation case.
Source:
flsenate.gov/laws/statutes/2017/440.09
