What Types of Benefits Can You Get Through Workers’ Compensation In Fort Lauderdale?
If you live in Fort Lauderdale and get hurt at work, you’re likely worried about how to pay for medical bills, lost earnings, and other costs. Even seemingly minor injuries can cause lasting impairments. What if you can’t go back to the same job?
Florida workers’ compensation can help, but the system is challenging to navigate. Our experienced Fort Lauderdale workers’ compensation lawyer represents clients throughout South Florida in claims and explains benefits for medical bills, lost wages, and long-term disabilities.
Florida Workers’ Compensation Benefits Pay Medical Bills and Lost Wages For On-the-Job Injuries In Fort Lauderdale
The Florida Department of Health reports that nearly 7,000 workers throughout the state are hospitalized due to potentially life-threatening on-the-job accidents each year. Thousands of others seek outpatient care for injuries that leave them unable to work and can result in hundreds of thousands in medical costs.
Benefits you may be entitled to through the Florida Division of Workers’ Compensation (WC) can help prevent out-of-pocket losses when injuries happen on the job, regardless of who was at fault. To qualify, you must report your injury within 30 days and get care from an approved medical provider. Insurers then review your case and determine what benefits you’re eligible for. These include:
- Reimbursement for medical expenses, including doctor visits, physical therapy, medication, and braces, crutches, or other medical supplies.
- Mileage reimbursement for trips to medical appointments.
- Temporary wage replacement, representing roughly two-thirds of your average pay.
- Partial wage replacement if you return to work but earn less than before.
These benefits can continue for weeks or months, depending on the severity of your injury and how long it takes to recover.
What Happens if You Can’t Return to the Same Job? What Fort Lauderdale Workers’ Compensation Covers
If your injury causes lasting limitations, you may qualify for more than short-term support. Once you’ve reached Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI), insurers look at your ability to earn a living going forward.
If you can’t return to your old position or find similar work, you may be entitled to additional help. Long-term workers’ compensation benefits in Fort Lauderdale may include:
- Impairment income benefits based on your level of permanent injury.
- Vocational rehabilitation to help you train for a new line of work.
- Permanent total disability benefits if you can’t do any kind of job.
- A settlement option, which could pay you a lump sum to close out your claim
Each case is different. To understand your options or whether a settlement offer is fair, contact our experienced Fort Lauderdale workers’ compensation lawyer.
To Get the Benefits You Are Entitled to, Contact our Experienced Fort Lauderdale Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Today
At The Law Offices of David M. Benenfeld, P.A., we have 30 years of experience helping injured workers in South Florida get the maximum benefits in workers’ compensation claims. To get the total amount you are entitled to, contact our Fort Lauderdale workers’ compensation lawyer. Request a consultation in our Fort Lauderdale, Sunrise, or West Palm Beach office today.
Sources:
floridatracking.com/healthtracking/document/2020%20Occupational%20Health%20Indicators%20-%20Florida.pdf
myfloridacfo.com/division/wc
leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0400-0499/0440/0440.html